- The match will be played in Kisumu
- AFC Leopards has not won a title in seven years
- There will be three other matches on Sunday
AFC Leopards will take on Shabana FC in a mouth watering fixture in the round of 16 of the FKF MozzartBet Cup at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu.
Leopards have not won the title in seven years, their last major trophy, and are seeking to win it again as they celebrate their 60th anniversary.
Ingwe are seeking to finish the season with a trophy, especially now that their hopes of winning the FKF Premier League have faded away as they are seventh with 10 matches to go.
Head coach Thomas Trucha hopes his side can battle for the trophy to give the club’s fans an even better way to celebrate their 60th birthday as well as return to Continental football next season.
“Of course it would be special for us and for the team to win a title to commemorate 60 years of Ingwe. Our ambition is to fight for this title and we have spoken about it as a team. We know it will not be easy but we are ready to give our best,” the tactician said, in an interview with Capital Sport.
Ingwe will fancy their chances as they come up against a struggling Shabana, just less than a week after they played each other in the culmination of the Ingwe at 60 celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Leopards expect tough duel
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha at work
Looking back at the duel which ended 1-1, Trucha expects a tough encounter when the two sides meet in a competitive match.
“I saw how they play and I have watched two other matches when they have played in the league and I know it is not an easy team. They are tough and have very passionate fans so it will not be a walk in the park for us,” the coach said.
He added; “We have to be very compact as a team and play defensively well. We also need to take our chances.”
Leopards were eliminated in the semis last season and this time, Trucha believes they have shown marked improvement and can go on and take the title.
But, he has cautioned his team to take a game at a time, as the Cup can be a slippery slope at times.
Shabana have been struggling in the league and are currently battling relegation, and a successful hunt in the Cup especially against Leopards will spur their bid to survive in the league.
Head coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo says the team is ready to give in a good account of themselves against a tough opponent.
Leopards a very strong opponent
Shabana new coach Sammy Omollo meeting with the team
“AFC is a very strong team and we have to be very cautious in how we approach them. I believe we have a good chance if only we can stick to our game plan and execute well. It would be very good to get such a victory for the fans of Shabana especially after looking at how much of a tough season we have had,” the tactician said.
Meanwhile in other fixtures matches to be played on Sunday, Division Two side will face off with National Super League outfit Mara Sugar in the early kick off in Kisumu.
At the Police Sacco Stadium, Ulinzi Stars play former champions Kariobangi Sharks who are seeking to clinch their second Cup title.
At the Ukunda Showground in Diani, a local derby pitting SS Assad and Denmak FC, who eliminated Gor Mahia in the first round, will be a mouthwatering clash.
The two sides share a pitch for their matches, and the duel is expected to be explosive with Denmak keen to show that they were not just lucky in beating Gor Mahia in the opening round of the tournament.
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