- Kakamega Homeboyz vs AFC Leopards will clash on Saturday, May 16, in a crucial Round 32 SportPesa League encounter.
- The match will be staged at Mumias Sports Complex, with kickoff set for 3pm EAT.
- Ingwe have a chance to temporarily reduce the SportPesa League title race to just one point, but Homeboyz’s long-awaited 13-year revenge mission could derail AFC Leopards’ title ambitions.
AFC Leopards have a chance to slash their deficit behind league leaders Gor Mahia to just one SportPesa League point when they travel to Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon to battle Kakamega Homeboyz in a thrilling Ingo Derby.
Ingwe are back in the title conversation after returning to winning ways with back-to-back victories, where they managed to beat Mara Sugar 2-1 at Nyayo Stadium before edging out Ulinzi Stars 2-0 in a rescheduled fixture at the same venue on Wednesday.
Those two triumphs ensured Fred Ambani’s side revived their championship ambitions, having suffered damaging losses to defending champions Kenya Police FC, while they also narrowly lost 1-0 to Gor Mahia in the 99th Mashemeji Derby.
ALSO READ: AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani still confident of winning SportPesa League title
Kakamega Homeboyz vs AFC Leopards preview
They head into the Kakamega County clash sitting second on the table with 61 points after 31 rounds, already surpassing the 51 points they managed in each of the previous three seasons- a clear sign of the progress made under coach Ambani.
A win on the road will put them extremely close to the title they have chased for the past two decades, as they would temporarily trim the points gap to just one – 64 compared to Gor Mahia’s 65 – who have their own away clash against Murang’a SEAL on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.
In addition, Ingwe have been solid on the road this season, collecting 28 points from 15 away games, with eight wins, four draws, and only three losses and they arrive with consecutive away victories under their belt.
READ ALSO:Kakamega Homeboyz own goal helps Gor Mahia go nine points clear in the SportPesa League
Ambani believes that despite limited preparation days, they are going all out to secure the three points, which would put them in a stronger position as the league goes down to the wire.
“It’s a derby again, and we will be going all in for it to ensure we at least get the three points. We are not going to do a lot in training because we only have two days of prep, but we will have to adjust our style of play to compete at Mumias Complex. I think we are equally up to the challenge, and despite the fatigue, we are heading to Kakamega for the three points,” he said.
Could Homeboyz’s 13-year revenge mission crush Ingwe’s title dream?
But seizing three points this time could be a tall order, as the Ingo Derby also brings its own memories and bragging rights for two teams whose fans mostly reside in the same geographical area.
And to add more, Homeboyz come into this match ready to derail Ingwe’s title ambitions not just for bragging rights, but also to get back to winning ways, having already gone five matches without tasting a victory and securing only two points in that stretch.
Thus, Patrick Odhiambo’s charges have nothing left to do but return to winning form, and they can do it against Ingwe, having been unable to stop Gor Mahia in their last home match, where they let the win slip late after Gor equalized at the same venue.
READ MORE: AFC Leopards pile more misery on Ulinzi Stars to keep title chase alive
They are at home, sitting sixth on the log with 47 points, with a top-three finish still unattainable for them.
This could be a match where Kakamega Homeboyz might also decide to exact long-overdue revenge dating back 13 years, when they desperately needed a win to avoid SportPesa League relegation, only, for AFC Leopards to beat them 2-1 at Mumias Complex and send them down.
Thus, Abana Abeingo might not feel any kindness toward their brothers who hurt them over a decade ago, despite sharing the same fan demographic. They could be taking an eye for an eye, as they also look to dent Ingwe’s title mission this time.
A win would leave Ingwe seven points behind Gor with two matches left, and if Gor win on Sunday, they will definitely be crowned SportPesa League champions.
READ MORE: Kakamega Homeboyz beat AFC Leopards as they join top spot scramble
“A match against AFC Leopards is never just another fixture on the calendar; it is about local bragging rights and pride for our fans. We owe our supporters a performance that matches their passion, and we will fight until the final whistle,” coach Odhiambo said ahead of the clash.
The last time these two met was earlier in January this year, when Homeboyz handed Ingwe their second loss of the season with a 1-0 win.
AFC Leopards have yet to win against Kakamega Homeboyz in their most recent four matches; Homeboyz winning two, and the sides sharing spoils twice.