The Kakamega-based club smiled all the way to the bank on Tuesday after title sponsors Mozzart Bet increased their financial support. The betting firm renewed partnership with the club for another year, extending a relationship that continues to play a key role in its ambitions.
Under the renewed deal as seen by Flashscore, Homeboyz will receive an additional KSh 5 million, raising the total sponsorship package to KSh 25 million for a year.
Apart from the increment, Homeboyz will stand to earn additional millions in incentives from the firm if they clinch the Premier League title or reclaim the Mozzart Bet FKF Cup, which they last won in 2023.
The latest development has left Shimanyula, who doubles as the President of the team, bragging big and warning their rivals they will chase for the Premier League and the domestic FKF Cup titles.
Homeboyz eyes on first league title
“We are in a good position now (to win titles), and nothing will stop our quest to clinch season double,” a beaming Shimanyula told Flashscore. “We have the sponsorship deal sealed and this was very crucial for the team as we strive to achieve our season targets.
“We want to deliver our first-ever Kenyan league title, and we are grateful to our sponsors for renewing the deal, which will go a long way in motivating the team as we push to deliver the targets we set before the season kicked off.”
Homeboyz are currently sitting sixth on the 18-team league table with 28 points, 12 fewer than leaders Gor Mahia. Homeboyz have won seven matches, drawn seven and lost four.
Asked how Homeboyz will manage to cut down Gor Mahia’s sizeable lead, Shimanyula responded: “We have only played 18 matches and we still have a long journey to conclude the season.
“Remember the past two weeks, we were leading the table, but because we drew two matches, Gor Mahia took the advantage to move top. It means the league is very close, if we win our next two matches and Gor Mahia and teams above us drop points, we will be back at the top.”
Shimanyula added, “The league is always marathon; you don’t know what will happen in the next two weeks. We want to be as close as possible. We want to stay as close as possible with chasing teams; we don’t want to be left behind.
“We are competing in one of those leagues if you blink an eye, the second minute, you don’t see yourself in the position you started your weekend matches from. So, it will be very good for us to try and compete, and show what we have.
“We have a good squad that has been together for a long time, and we want them to spur us on to the titles.”
Shimanyula warns against dropping points
Homeboyz' last six matches have seen them lose twice, draw twice, and win twice. The defeats came against Gor Mahia 1-0, and Bandari FC 2-1. The wins were against AFC Leopards 1-0, and Kariobangi Sharks 2-0.
Homeboyz drew 2-2 against champions Kenya Police FC, and 3-3 against Mara Sugar.
“The draw against Mara was so painful because it is a game we dominated for long spells, and we were ahead before losing our heads to draw, it is one of those games, I don’t want to remember what happened,” recounted Shimanyula.
“We need to be very careful, and stop giving away comeback goals. I had to talk to the players after the game and openly told them, those were dropped points. We can’t keep dropping points from winning positions if we want to win the league.”
In the domestic competition, Homeboyz kicked off their campaign for a second title with a 5-1 win over Kisumu’s Amani Youth in a Round of 64 fixture at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo.
Homeboyz’ next five league matches will start against Bidco United away on Friday, February 13, promoted APS Bomet at home, Ulinzi Stars away, Sofapaka at home, and Tusker away.
