Are Homeboyz KPL's dark horses? They are in third place on the Kenyan Premier League standings

Kakamega Homeboyz's Moses Mudavadi challenge Collins Okumu Thika United FC during KPL Match at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 7, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The western Kenya-based team has been getting good results in league matches.

When the 2017 Kenyan Premier League season kicked off in April, nobody thought that Kakamega Homeboyz would be among the title contenders.

It might be premature, but with less than nine matches to go, third-placed Homeboyz, who are 12 and three points behind leaders Gor Mahia (51) and Sofapaka respectively (42), are lurking dwangerously in the shadows.

Going by their performance so far, Mike Mururi’s men, who are in their third season of the topflight football, are slowly proving to be the dark horse in the run-up to the title this campaign.

They have made their current home ground - Mumias Sports Complex - a fortress, re-establishing itself as an impossible venue all teams feared travelling to during Mumias Sugar FC’s days.

Homeboyz have had an impressive home record this season which has been overshadowed by favouritism claims since they regained their topflight status last year.

The club is currently enjoying an 11 home game unbeaten streak since losing 2-1 to Nzoia Sugar in their second league match on April 16. They have so far registered seven wins and five draws at home, but they are being held back by their poor away form.

And according to Mururi, it is the confidence and determination that he has instilled into his players that is reaping results.

“It is by the grace of God that we are where we are right now. Nobody ever gave us a chance but through hard work, sacrifice, and our chairman’s motivation, the boys are doing well. Despite financial challenges, no single day have we experienced allowance and salary delays,” Mururi told The Standard Sports.

“I have inspired and made my players believe in themselves. We have agreed to make Mumias a fortress and any team that comes there must be ready for a tough match. At home, we only play for one result - a win and either a draw or a win away.”

And with five of Homeboyz’s remaining matches being at home, Gor Mahia have been warned not to start celebrating just yet.

“Gor are the favourites, but it is still too early for them to start celebrating. Our initial target was to finish in the top five and I think we have yet to surpass it. We like it when nobody focuses on us,” said Mururi.

But Mururi together with his captain, Ali Bai, were quick to dismiss claims by teams such as Bandari that they were being favoured by referees.

“Do we score through penalties at home? We have drawn five matches and even lost to Nzoia in Mumias. It is unfair for some people to come up with those baseless claims,” they said.

“Many teams consider us as underdogs, but let them know that dropping points in Mumias is close to an impossibility,” added Bai.

Homeboyz chairman and founder Cleophas Shimanyula was equally dismayed by the allegations, but urged his players to remain focused and prove critics wrong.

“Unlike previous years, we are not talking about relegation but the title. That clearly shows how far we have gone as a club and we will not be deterred by baseless claims. We are urging sponsors and well-wishers to come on board and support the team,” said Shimanyula.