Murang'a Seal end eight-match winless run with hard fought victory over Kakamega Homeboyz
.JPG)
Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 10.05.26. | 17:57
The result saw stand-in coach Dennis Odhiambo bag his first win since succeeding Osborne Monday last month
Murang'a Seal FC returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kakamega Homeboyz FC in an entertaining FKF Premier League encounter staged at Sebastian Park.
Joe Waithera’s first-half strike proved decisive as the hosts secured maximum points in a match that produced numerous chances at both ends and plenty of attacking intent from the two sides.
Download our Mozzart Sport App for more news
Coming into the fixture, both teams were desperate for a positive response after suffering defeats in their previous outings.
Murang’a Seal were keen on ending a worrying run of results, while Homeboyz sought to strengthen their push for a respectable finish in the league standings.
After a delay of more than 30 minutes before kick-off, the game eventually burst into life with Murang’a Seal immediately showing attacking intent.
Victor Haki registered the first attempt of the afternoon after a neat combination involving Lucas Maina and Owen Michael released him inside the area, but his low effort only rattled the side netting.
The hosts continued to pile pressure and nearly struck again in the 10th minute through Owen.
A swift counterattack initiated by Maina found the attacking midfielder in space on the edge of the area, but Estone Omengo reacted quickly to block the goal-bound strike.
Murang’a Seal remained the brighter side and came close once more moments later through Joseph Omulama.
The marauding right wing-back surged past the Homeboyz backline before unleashing a volley that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
The visitors gradually settled into the contest and fashioned their first meaningful opportunity in the 18th minute.
Omengo’s long diagonal ball picked out Peter Thiong’o, who delivered a teasing cross into the box, but Oliver Majaka’s header was well dealt with by goalkeeper Wilson Mwangi.
Seal almost broke the deadlock shortly afterwards through Michael Macharia.
Clever interplay between Waithera and Telvin Maina opened space for Macharia inside the area, only for Homeboyz goalkeeper Brian Odhiambo to produce a sharp save and deny the forward from close range.
The Kakamega-based outfit responded with a dangerous attack of their own as Samuel Odaro made a well-timed run before setting up Moses Mudavadi, whose effort drifted inches wide of the target.
As the contest gathered pace, Waithera nearly produced a moment of brilliance from a set piece.
The forward curled a low strike from about 25 yards out, forcing Odhiambo into a full-stretch save to punch the ball away from danger.
Homeboyz continued probing through Rodgers Ouma and Odaro, but Murang’a Seal’s defence remained resolute despite sustained pressure from the visitors.
Shafik Batambuze and Odaro also tested the hosts moments later, though their attempts were swiftly dealt with.
The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes before halftime after Murang’a Seal’s dominance paid off.
Goalkeeper Mwangi launched a quick ball forward that found Waithera, who brilliantly dummied past his marker before rifling a fierce left-footed strike beyond Odhiambo to hand the hosts a deserved lead.
The home side almost doubled their advantage before the break through the lively Waithera once again, but his effort flashed wide as Seal headed into halftime holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
Homeboyz emerged for the second half with renewed urgency and immediately threatened the hosts’ lead.
Boniface Onyango delivered an inviting cross that found Majaka inside the area, but Mwangi stood firm to deny the Kenya U-20 attacker.
Substitute Moses Shikanda then came agonisingly close moments later after latching onto a clever pass from Thiong’o, only to see his chipped effort narrowly miss the target.
The visitors kept pressing and nearly levelled in the 55th minute through Omengo.
The midfielder surged forward onto a loose ball from Shikanda before unleashing a powerful long-range attempt that rolled just wide.
Murang’a Seal remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Lucas Maina dazzling past defenders before firing an effort narrowly off target.
Waithera also threatened again with a thunderous strike that sailed over the bar.
One of the defining moments of the match came midway through the second half when Homeboyz nearly snatched an equaliser through Shikanda.
After a defensive clearance from Onyango, Majaka attempted to chip the advancing goalkeeper, but Mwangi managed to get a touch on the ball.
The rebound fell kindly for Shikanda, whose looping effort appeared destined for the back of the net before Dennis Munyovi produced a heroic goal-line header to preserve Seal’s lead.
The hosts continued to search for a second goal and nearly found it through Kiplangat, whose low drive drifted wide of the post.
Homeboyz pushed forward in the closing stages, with Mudavadi getting a final sight of goal inside the box, but his attempt flew over the crossbar as Murang’a Seal held on for a crucial victory.
The defeat stretched Homeboyz’s winless run to five matches, dealing a significant blow to their hopes of securing a top-three finish this season.
For Murang’a Seal, the victory marked the end of an eight-match winless streak and provided a timely boost in their quest to secure a strong finish in the top half of the table.