Homeboyz head coach Odhiambo hits out at his players lack of mental toughness

© Kakamega Homeboyz

FKFPL Homeboyz head coach Odhiambo hits out at his players lack of mental toughness

Festus Chuma 19:58 - 15.05.2023

Abana Abeingo crashed to a disappointing defeat against their bogey team, Nzoia.

Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Patrick Odhiambo believes the team went down to Nzoia Sugar due to their own mistakes.

Odhiambo was frustrated after his side lost 2-0 to the Sugar Millers at Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The former Gor Mahia assistant coach was left ruing defensive mistakes that failed Homeboyz and now demands significant improvement.

"We have to blame ourselves. I don't think we were outplayed by Nzoia Sugar, we just made costly individual mistakes and we got punished," said Odhiambo.

"We had many chances in the first half and failed to utilize them. We contained them, and they even did not make any shot on target."

Odhiambo went ahead to defend his choice not to deploy experienced midfielder Eston Esiye during the clash against Nzoia.

"We are adjusting to this new way of playing that I have chosen for the last few games. If you look at my lineup, Esiye has been absent for the past four matches. 

"The lack of mental toughness and consistency of my players is what affected the outcome and not the unavailability of one player. Odhiambo added.

Second-half goals from James Kibande and Hassan Beja sank Homeboyz, with the win taking Nzoia Sugar's tally to 60 points and ensuring they kept their title hopes alive.

Homeboyz will now shift focus to the FKF Cup, where they are set to face Ingo Derby rivals AFC Leopards away in the semifinals on Saturday.

Abana Abeingo are currently ninth in the Premier League table with 42 points after 30 rounds of matches, while their opponents sit in seventh position with 45 points.