Kakamega Homeboyz will face a significant test of character and depth this weekend as they prepare to clash with a revitalized Mathare United side without their talismanic striker Moses Shumah. The in-form forward, who is joint top scorer in the FKF Premier League, has been ruled out after accumulating five yellow cards, dealing a major blow to Coach Francis Baraza’s side at a crucial stage of the season. The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 10th May 2025, at Dandora Stadium, starting at 1:00 PM.
Shumah’s absence leaves a considerable void in the Homeboyz attacking setup. The forward has netted an impressive 15 goals this season—almost half of the club’s 33-goal tally—cementing his status as one of the league’s most lethal forwards. He shares the top scorer spot with Tusker FC’s Ryan Ogam.
Currently sitting fifth on the table with 45 points from 29 games (11 wins, 12 draws, and 6 losses), Homeboyz trail league leaders Police FC by 10 points with five matches remaining. While their recent league form has been solid—unbeaten since a 4-1 thrashing by Shabana FC on March 2nd, a run that includes four wins and three draws—their momentum was jolted by a shocking 2-0 loss to second-tier Nairobi United in the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup quarterfinals on May 1st.
Coach Baraza now faces a tactical conundrum: who will lead the line in the absence of his top scorer?
He may turn to youthful striker Henry Omollo, who has shown flashes of promise this season, scoring three goals. The Kenya U-20 international, though left out of the final AFCON U-20 squad, remains one of the most exciting prospects in the squad. Alternatively, Baraza could rely on Ugandan forward Pius Wangi, who has scored twice this season, or even opt for a twin-striker formation with both Omollo and Wangi—a strategy he previously employed with Shumah and Wangi.
Their opponents, Mathare United, come into the match in buoyant form. The Slum Boys have clawed their way out of the relegation zone and now sit 10th on the 18-team log, with 37 points (9 wins, 10 draws, and 10 losses). More impressively, they have lost just twice in their last 10 matches, winning five and drawing three.
Much of their resurgence is credited to impactful mid-season signings, particularly former Gor Mahia attacker Musa Masika. The winger has been instrumental, scoring five times and assisting a number of goals, including a rich run of three goals in his last two matches—a 1-1 draw with Sofapaka and a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Tusker FC. His attacking flair and ability to create chances make him the biggest threat to Homeboyz’s backline.
Coach John Kamau will be counting on Masika and his resurgent squad to exploit the gap left by Shumah’s absence, as Mathare eye a top-half finish in what has been a remarkable turnaround for the newly promoted side.
With the league title race intensifying and both teams desperate for points—Homeboyz to keep up with the leading pack and Mathare to finish in the top half—the stage is set for a compelling encounter. However, without their leading man upfront, Homeboyz must dig deep to avoid stumbling against a revitalized and hungry Mathare side.
Can Coach Baraza’s charges rise to the occasion without their star striker?
