FKF Cup action resumes with Round of 16 fixtures

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup action resumes this weekend with 16 teams battling to qualify for the quarterfinals.

There are 10 FKF Premier League (FKF PL) clubs, three FKF National Super League (FKF NSL) teams, and three FKF Regional League teams still surviving in the competition.

Defending champions Kakamega Homeboyz will renew their rivalry with Tusker in a repeat of last year’s final at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Mamboleo Stadium on Saturday 30 March. Kakamega Homeboyz defeated Tusker 1-0 in last year’s final to win the competition for the first time in their history and with the league title already out of their stretch, the FKF Cup now remains their best chance of glory this season. On the other hand, revenge must be on Tusker’s mind as they look to march to the tournament’s final for the first time since 2016 when the won a league and cup double. Kakamega Homeboyz reached this stage after defeating Solian City 2-0 in the Round of 32 while Tusker had to dispatch Kwale County’s Bumbani Stars 2-1 to set up this tantalizing clash.

The match between the two FKF Premier League sides will kick off at 3 pm and it will be the day’s showstopper event at the same venue which will also see FKF Regional League side Bungoma Stars hoping to continue with their giant-killing heroics as they tackle top-flight club Sofapaka in a 12 pm kick-off. Bungoma Stars laid down the gauntlet in the Round of 32 by knocking out FKF PL side Talanta with a 1-0 victory and may once again fancy their chances of staging another upset as Sofapaka had to labour hard to eliminate FKF NSL side Silibwet 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 in regulation time of their Round of 32 encounter.

Police Sacco double header 

Saturday will see action at the Police Sacco Stadium where the all-FKF Premier League clash between Bidco United and KCB will curtain raise Kenya Police’s tie with Mombasa Stars. Bidco United vs KCB will kick off at 12 pm while Kenya Police vs Mombasa Stars will start at 3 pm.

This will be second consecutive season that Bidco United and KCB will be meeting in the Mozzart Bet Cup with the Bankers eliminating Bidco at the quarterfinals stage last season. This year’s encounter offers Bidco United to correct their poor record against KCB who have gotten the better of them in seven of their last eight encounters. Bidco United qualified for this stage after defeating Karatina Homeboyz 2-0 while KCB got off to a good start in the competition with a 1-0 over MOFA.

Kenya Police has had good fortune with the draws as they remain the only Premier League to be drawn at home in the Round of 32 and Round of 16. In the Round of 32, Kenya Police was at home to fellow FKF PL side Posta Rangers whom they defeated 1-0. The law-enforcers will hope to take advantage of home comforts once against as they confront FKF NSL side who needed sudden death penalties to overcome FKF Regional League side from Meru, Al Azizia, 5-6 after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Sunday action

FKF Cup action on Sunday 31 March will see another double header at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Mamboleo Stadium as FKF Division One side Compel host FKF NSL team Mara Sugar at 12 pm before attention shifts to the mouth-watering clash between FKF PL sides, Shabana and AFC Leopards at 3 pm.

Compel vs Mara Sugar will be one of two FKF Cup matches this weekend which will not feature an FKF PL side. In the Round of 32, Compel had to punch above their weight as they defeated FKF NSL team Kajiado 2-0 to progress to the Round of 16. On their part, Mara Sugar had to sweat for their place in the Round of 16 as they needed a 4-3 win on penalties to knock FKF Division One club Zetech Titans after 0-0 draw in regulation time.

AFC Leopards have in recent weeks been engaged in a number of festivities to mark the 60th anniversary of the club’s existence and Shabana will be looking to poop their party mood. Having won the tournament 10 times, AFC Leopards will hope to mark their 60th anniversary with victory in this competition which will see them draw level with their eternal rivals Gor Mahia as the tournament’s most successful clubs. Shabana have had a season that has little to smile about and with the club battling relegation, the Mozzart Bet Cup offers them an opportunity to redeem their pride. AFC Leopards registered the biggest victory during the Round of 32 matches by defeating PAC University 3-0 while Shabana was one of five teams that needed a penalty shootout to progress to the next stage as they defeated Shalimar 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Sunday will also see other two matches kicking off at 3 pm with FKF NSL SS Assad hosting FKF Coast Regional League side Denmak at the Ukunda Showground and Ulinzi Stars and Kariobangi Sharks battling it out for a spot in the last eight at the Police Sacco Stadium.

The clash between SS Assad and Denmak promises to be an explosive encounter as the two Kwale County teams battle for pride. SS Assad set up the tie by winning 3-1 away to Nyanza Regional League team Bomachoge Borabu while Denmak registered the biggest shock of that stage of the competition by eliminating the competition’s record champions Gor Mahia 5-4 on penalties after holding them to 0-0 draw.

Kariobangi Sharks have reached at least the quarterfinals stage of this competition since 2016 when they were eliminated at the semifinals by their opponents on Sunday, Ulinzi Stars. Kariobangi Sharks then reached three consecutive finals between 2017 and 2019, and since then have struggled to reach the semifinals. For this season’s competition, Kariobangi Sharks had to overcome FKF Nyanza Regional League side Nyamira Super Eagles 1-0 in the Round of 32 while Ulinzi Stars defeated FKF Western Regional League team Harvest of Hope Africa 2-0. With both teams struggling in the league, this match will be hotly-contested as the competition provides their best opportunity for silverware this season.