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Defending Champions Gor Mahia FC have a tricky Round of 16 tie against Kakamega Homeboyz FC in early April after both sides secured wins in the 2023 Mozzart Bet FKF Cup Round of 32 games played at the weekend.

Other Premiership bigwigs including Tusker FC, KCB FC, AFC Leopards, Kenya Police FC alongside recent Cup former winners Kariobangi Sharks and Bandari FC, not forgetting Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka, have also joined the fray.

Kenya Police has been pitted against Ulinzi Stars and KCB will be up against Bidco United.

The 16 teams are battling for the ultimate Sh 2 million and a chance to represent the country in the next edition of the CAF Confederations Cup.

Gor Mahia started their defense well by beating Kibera Sports Academy 1-0 courtesy of a first half strike by fringe player Lloyd Khavuchi off a free kick. K’Ogalo rested a couple of key players in the game with regular stopper Gad Matthew giving way for youngster Caleb Otieno between the sticks while top striker Benson Omalla, deputy team captain Geoffrey Ochieng and midfield dynamo Earnest Wendo all given rests by coach Jonathan McKinstry. Their next opponents Homeboyz survived a scare after playing to a barren draw during regular time against Shalimar FC before winning 4-3 on post-match penalties.

Meanwhile, there were easy wins for the likes of Kenya Police and Ulinzi Stars who incidentally meet later on in a blockbuster clash in the Round of 16.Police saw off Scarlet FC 4-1 which had former Internationals Duncan Ochieng and James Situma on duty for the Nakuru based side. The Law Enforcers scored via Duke Abuya,Francis Kahata,Elvis Rupia and an own goal by James Situma. Scarlet had an own goal count after Soita Silicho scored into his own net in the 51st minute.

Kariobangi Sharks who won 6-0 against lower league side Marula FC will face Equity Bank who in the last edition in 2021did well up until elimination in the Quarter Finals. Sharks got their goals through Paul Okoth ,Leon Levitt,Sigmund Maina,Kevin Wangaya,Patrick Wangaya and Shariff Musa. The former trio scored quickfire goals inside five minutes of the game. Marula simply had no answers for the far too strong slum boys who also rested some key players.

Elsewhere, Sofapaka FC humbled Karatina Homeboyz 3-0 away with goals off Alex Imbusia in the 48th minute with Baron Oketch hitting the second in the 57th minute and Nixon Omondi in the 68th minute. For their troubles,Batoto ba Mungu will now face Nationwide Super League side Darajani Gogo FC in the Round of 16.

In other results,Bandari FC beat Administration Police FC 2-0 and have now set a date with Coastal neighbors Mwatate United who ply their trade in the second tier-Nationwide Super League. The Dockers scored both goals in less than 10 minutes. The opener came against the run of play by James Kinyanjui just under a minute of play beginning with the second of the match coming in the seventh minute through William Wadri.