Cup competition begins
By Dennis Mabuka, January 26, 2024
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League is set to take a break to pave the way for the Mozzart Bet Cup that kicks off with six matches lined up across the country tomorrow and Sunday.
The highlight of the tournament which gets underway from the preliminary round will see Bandari visit Sudi Stadium to take on Bungoma Stars. These will be an easy fixture for the Dockers, who are enjoying a good run in the top-flight where they are currently placed fifth on the 18-team table with 31 points from 19 matches.
Bandari have been busy in the ongoing transfer window and the fixture will allow head coach John Baraza to use some of his new signings, the most noticeable one being Harambee Stars goalkeeper Bryne Omondi, who signed from KCB. Omondi penned a two-year deal to leave the Bankers as a free agent and travelling Bandari fans will have the chance to watch him in action for the first time. Other new signings include former Mombasa Elite goalkeeper Abdulrahman Mwinyi, strikers Francis Kahiro from KCB, Mohammed Barisa and David Sakwa from Nzoia Sugar and Kiminini Combined respectively, and promoted Izzadin Ramadhan, David Wanyama, Willy Gitama, Hamisi Nyale, and Renson Wakalo from their youth system. They also also extended the contract of Ugandan import striker Derrick Nsibambi with Rashid Abdallah Super Cup’s Most Valuable Player Hamisi Mwaphalu also penning a deal with the Mombasa-based side. Bandari coach John Baraza was no-commital whether the new signings will get a starting role against the little-known Bungoma Stars.
“Most of the new signings have been with us for a week, we have been trying to help them to settle, so I don’t know if they will be able to start in the away game, Baraza told People Sports, adding: “Bryan (Omondi) has responded well to training but we will decide on who starts a day before the game, so we are still monitoring their progress and fitness.”
In matches set for tomorrow, Posta Rangers will come up against Wisdom Soccer Academy at Ndura Sports Complex. Posta coach John Kamau has cautioned his players against underrating their opponents, insisting their target is to go all the way and lift the trophy at the end of the season.
“We don’t know much about Wisdom Soccer Academy, it will be my first time playing against them and hence the reason my players should stay focused and avoid underrating them, in football anything can happen, we have seen giants falling to minnows,” said Kamau.
Another Premier League outfit Kenya Police will face Vegpro seeking to advance to the next round at Horticulture grounds while Al Azizia will host Luanda Villa at the Kinoru Stadium. On Saturday, apart from the Bandari versus Bungoma fixture, Eldoro Sports Club Villa will confront Mombasa Stars at Wundanyi Stadium, while Marafiki will lock horns against Premier League side FC Talanta at Kinunga Stadium.
The winners of the domestic Cup competition will earn a direct ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup for next season. Last season, Kakamega Homeboyz were crowned champions after defeating Tusker 1-0 in the final. Homeboyz went ahead to take part in the Caf competition but they failed to go past the preliminary round after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Al Hilal in Benghazi.