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Bullish Kakamega Homeboyz coach Baraza shows his hand in league race 

Francis Baraza during a past match. 


Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

By  Cecil Odongo

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Posta Rangers will be out to build on their 2-1 win over Shabana last weekend as they fight to stay safe on the league table.
  • Kariobangi Sharks, two points adrift of Rangers, are equally struggling and haven’t won in their last eight matches.

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Francis Baraza says the team has now gelled and is ready to battle its way to the top as they face Nairobi City Stars in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match from 1pm at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi on Friday.

Kariobangi Sharks will host relegation battling Posta Rangers in a 4pm kick off at the same venue in the other match of the day.

Both fixtures will be televised live by the league broadcast rights holders Azam. Baraza took over Kakamega Homeboyz on October 25 last year on a six-month contract after the dismissal of Ken Kenyatta following a string of poor results. 

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Paltry two points

The former Kenya Police, Sony Sugar and Tusker tactician was brought on board when the team was holding a paltry two points and lying at the bottom of the league standing.

Under Baraza’s tutelage, “Abana ba Ingo” have cruised to eighth position on the log on 27 points, 11 below leaders Kenya Police. Homeboyz last lost a match on November 27 going down 2-1 to Gor Mahia and are unbeaten in 10 outings.

“When I found this team, they had only two points, now we are in the top 10 and will be fighting to be among the title contenders,” Baraza told Nation Sport.

“We have been on a learning moment where I was impacting my philosophy on the team. Now they have gelled well and the journey of getting good results is on course,” added the tactician.

He will be banking on Harambee Stars forward Moses Shumah for goals. The 22-year-old striker has netted seven goals in the league.

Homeboyz won the first leg 2-1 in Kakamega and will be hoping to complete a double at Dandora.

City Stars under coach Salim Babu have garnered 18 points after 20 matches and are in the second last position on the log.

Posta Rangers will be out to build on their 2-1 win over Shabana last weekend as they fight to stay safe on the league table.

Kariobangi Sharks, two points adrift of Rangers, are equally struggling and haven’t won in their last eight matches.

FRIDAY'S FIXTURES

Nairobi City Stars v Kakamega Homeboyz (Dandora, 1pm)

Kariobangi Sharks v Posta Rangers (Dandora, 4pm)