Cleophas Shimanyula targets domestic double after Kakamega Homeboyz secure boosted sponsorship deal

Kakamega Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula has issued a bold statement of intent following the club’s improved sponsorship agreement, declaring that the side will push aggressively for both the Kenyan Premier League title and the FKF Cup this season.

The Kakamega-based outfit received a significant financial boost on Tuesday after title sponsors Mozzart Bet renewed their partnership, strengthening the club’s resources as they chase historic success.

Under the renewed deal, Mozzart Bet increased their financial backing by an additional KSh 5 million, raising the total annual sponsorship package to KSh 25 million.

The agreement also includes performance-related incentives that could see the club earn further millions should they clinch the league crown or recapture the FKF Cup, a trophy they last lifted in 2023. The enhanced financial support is viewed as a major catalyst in the club’s push to establish itself among Kenya’s football elite.

Shimanyula, who also serves as the club’s president, expressed confidence that the strengthened sponsorship will translate into silverware.

“We are in a good position now (to win titles), and nothing will stop our quest to clinch season double,” 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.”

The Homeboyz chief emphasised that the club is determined to secure its first-ever league title.

“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,” he added.

Currently sixth in the 18-team standings with 28 points, Homeboyz trail leaders Gor Mahia by 12 points. Despite the gap, Shimanyula remains optimistic about his team’s chances of closing the deficit as the season progresses.

“We have only played 18 matches and we still have a long journey to conclude the season,” he explained.

“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 warned his players about the dangers of losing concentration during matches.

“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,” he said, reflecting on recent draws, including a frustrating 3-3 stalemate against Mara Sugar.

Meanwhile, Homeboyz have already made an impressive start in the FKF Cup, thrashing Amani Youth 5-1 in the Round of 64.

The club now faces a demanding league schedule that includes fixtures against Bidco United, APS Bomet, Ulinzi Stars, Sofapaka, and Tusker, matches that could significantly shape their title ambitions.