A 10-man HOHA Football Club secured a 2-1 victory over Bungoma Super Stars (SS)Football Club during the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One Western Zone B league match played at Bungoma High School grounds, Bungoma County.
HOHA broke the jinx as they became the first team to beat Bungoma SS on their home turf, having not lost a match in the last 3 years.
Bungoma Stars midfielder Christopher Situma gave the hosts the lead in the 27th minute through a penalty that resulted from a handball in HOHA’s danger stone, a move that was protested heavily by the HOHA travelling fans.
The fans complained that the ball had hit the full back on the head and bounced out, but the FIFA Lineman adjudged it as a hand ball causing the centre referee to point to the spot.
The match went into the break with the hosts leading with that solitary goal.
In the second half HOHA FC’s Cyrus Oucho restored parity in the 58th minute when he equalized for the visitors a goal that left the goalkeeper flat footed.
Through concerted efforts HOHA’s midfield maestro Isaac Etyang delivered a free kick inside the box of the opponent who scored an own goal in the 93rd minute through a stray header.
HOHA’s defender Rodgers Makokha was red carded and sent off in the 81st minute, after he retaliated a naughty challenge off-the-ball leaving the visitors to battle the remaining time with 10 men.
However, the players remained focused and delivered a win, bagging all the three points.
HOHA FC Head Coach Michael Oboth aka Mugerman expressed his delight over the results, stressing that the 3 points were crucial to set the pace for his side.
“We needed the win since we did not perform well in the first game. I believe we shall build something good to carry on in the league,” he said.
He added: “Our focus now shifts to the next game against Gucha FC to be played at Busende primary school grounds in the coming weekend.”
His remarks were echoed by captain David Simiyu “Balo” who said they are determined to register positive results moving forward, adding that fans should come out in large numbers to support the team.
The entertaining clash was also watched by HOHA FC Chairman Fredrick Munuku and Jacquesh Papai (Secretary).
Other results in the same league were; Sigalagala 0-0 Zoo Kericho, Gucha Stars FC 1-0 Soy United FC, while GFE 105 FC 3-0 Hillside FC, Kiminini Combine 2-1 TransForce and the Compel FC 2-0 Nakuru Bucks.
By Absalom Namwalo
