Mozzart Bet Cup: Clinical Ulinzi shoot down Kakamega Homeboyz' hopes for second title
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 12.04.26. | 16:47
The soldiers had Odhiambo to thank as his early missile wad enough to settle the contest
Ulinzi Stars produced a resolute display to stun Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 and book their place in the Mozzart Bet Cup quarter-finals following their Round of 16 clash win at Bukhungu Stadium.
The decisive moment came as early as the sixth minute, when Staphord Odhiambo struck what proved to be the winner, handing the soldiers a crucial advantage they would guard with determination for the remainder of the encounter.
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Heading into the fixture, Kakamega Homeboyz, whose league ambitions have faded in recent weeks, were keen to keep their silverware hopes alive by progressing to the last eight.
The Kakamega-based side had set sights on reclaiming the domestic cup title that has eluded them for the past three years.
Ulinzi Stars, themselves enduring an inconsistent league campaign, approached the tie with equal urgency.
With both sides having suffered elimination at the same stage in the 2025 edition, the clash carried added significance, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive duel.
The match began in a balanced fashion, with both teams cautiously probing for openings. However, Ulinzi struck early through Odhiambo.
A swift attacking move initiated by John Kago sliced through the midfield, eventually finding Paul Odhiambo whose initial effort was blocked, only for the ball to fall kindly to Odhiambo.
The midfielder made no mistake, calmly slotting home to give the visitors the lead.
Kakamega Homeboyz responded almost immediately, with Peter Thiong’o coming close to leveling matters inside the opening ten minutes.
The forward skillfully beat his marker after being set up by Eston Omengo, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
Ulinzi continued to threaten, with Boniface Muchiri going close at the quarter-hour mark after a well-worked move involving Staphord Odhiambo. His volley, however, sailed inches wide.
Moments later, Paul Odhiambo rose highest to meet Muchiri’s inviting delivery, but his header narrowly cleared the crossbar
The hosts gradually grew into the game and nearly restored parity in the 22nd minute.
A pinpoint cross from Shafik Batambuze found Moses Mudavadi, whose powerful header agonizingly missed the target.
Chances continued to flow at both ends.
Kago tested the Homeboyz defense with a long-range effort that flashed just wide, while Homeboyz nearly equalized shortly after the hour mark through Rodgers Ouma and Mudavadi, only for Ulinzi goalkeeper Ricks Omondi to produce crucial saves at his near post.
Despite trailing, Homeboyz returned from the break with renewed intensity.
John Omondi forced a fine save early in the second half, while Erick Okutu squandered a promising opportunity moments later.
Rodgers Ouma then missed a gilt-edged chance from close range, summing up the hosts’ frustrations in front of goal.
Ulinzi, however, remained dangerous on the counter, with Odhiambo and Muchiri both coming close to doubling the lead.
Their inability to find a second goal kept the contest finely poised, inviting relentless pressure from the hosts.
Homeboyz continued to push forward in waves, with Henry Omollo, Oliver Machaka, and Piston Mutamba all testing the Ulinzi defense in the latter stages.
Machaka, in particular, came agonizingly close in the dying minutes, forcing a superb save from Omondi after a well-taken low drive.
In the end, Ulinzi’s defensive resilience proved decisive as they held firm to secure a hard-fought victory.
The result sees Ulinzi Stars advance to the quarter-finals, keeping alive their quest to end a lengthy trophy drought, while Kakamega Homeboyz bow out of the competition, their cup ambitions brought to a disappointing halt despite a spirited performance.