- Gor won the game on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time
- Homeboyz are preparing for the CAF Confederations Cup next weekend
- Gor Mahia will not be playing in Continental football
FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia kicked off their domestic season on a victorious note as they edged out Kakamega Homeboyz 4-2 on post-match penalties to win the season-opening FKF Community Shield.
The game was forced into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, and Gor proved to be the luckiest from 12 yards out, as they expertly converted their efforts.
Lloyd Khavuchi scored the match winning kick, while it was only Sydney Wahongo who saw his penalty saved by Faruk Shikhalo.
Homeboyz’s two missed penalties were from Robinson Kamura and Stephen Opoku.
Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry was delighted with the performance of his team and said it was a positive start towards building up for the new season and their title defense.
“Homeboyz gave us a really good game. We are two weeks away from the season and we look okay. We are quite disappointed to concede the goal we did but those are some of the lessons we picked,” said the tactician.
The coach added; “There are some players who are yet to pick up fitness like Omalla and Macharia, but we are on the way and by the time we play Sofapaka we will be ready.”
Odhiambo delighted with his team’s readiness
Gor Mashia in action against Kakamega Homeboyz during the FKF Charity Shield match
On his end, Homeboyz coach Patrick Odhiambo was delighted with what he saw with his team, his only disappointment being they did not win the title.
Nonetheless, he believes they are in a good place especially building on towards their maiden match in Continental football.
“The game was really tight and it was decided on luck, because penalties are a matter of luck. The most important thing for us was to look at the level we are in. I have seen many good things and also see some which we need to work on and I think as a team we are okay,” said Homeboyz coach Patrick Odhiambo.
He added; “I have brought in several new players and we are still trying to integrate. It takes time but we are patient enough because we believe they will gel into the team.”
It was a tightly contested duel in regular time, and in the opening 45 minutes, none of the two sides could open the scoring.
Gor had the better chances though, and it was the returning Lawrence Juma who almost gave the 20-time champions the lead with a venomous strike from range that was well saved by Shikhalo.
Game come to life in second half
Gor Mashia in action against Kakamega Homeboyz during the FKF Charity Shield match
In the second half, the game came to life.
Boniface Omondi gave Gor the lead with a brilliant strike in the 62nd minute. The pint sized winger swung a brilliant volley when he connected first time to a corner from Alpha Onyango. The ball took a slight deflection off a defender, wrong footing keeper Faruk Shikhalo.
But, Homeboyz fought back to try and get their feet back in the game, and they did so just eight minutes on the turn. A freekick from Eston Esiye was spilled by goalkeeper Caleb Otieno and Eric Ambunya was well placed to tap the rebound home.
With no winner in regulation time, the game moved to penalties.
Meanwhile, Homeboyz will switch their attention to Continental football as they face Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi in their first leg match in the Confederation Cup first round next Sunday.
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