- Homeboyz beat Tusker 1-0 in the final last season
- The brewers have not won the Cup since 2016
- Bungoma Stars face Sofapaka in the early kick off
The round of 16 of the FKF Cup, set for this weekend, will host some mouth watering clashes, among them being a repeat of last year’s final between Tusker FC and holders Kakamega Homeboyz.
Homeboyz beat the brewers by a solitary goal in the final in Nairobi, and the brewers will be out to ensure that they lay revenge, and keep their hopes for their first Cup title since 2016 alive.
Tusker FC defender Collins Odhiambo finds himself in a unique position. Last season, he suited on the opposite end in the final, playing for Homeboyz as they won the title.
On Saturday, he will be suiting up, for Tusker, in the same fixture.
“I am meeting with my brothers, but this is work. When you leave home for work, you have to show your worth. It will be a very tough game but we have prepared well as a team,” Odhiambo said, speaking to the club’s official website.
He stands a chance of winning back to back Cup FKF Cup medals, and he says this will be a massive motivation for him and by extension the team, with the allure of playing Continental football next season also pushing them to give their all in the duel.
“It will be an honour to win again and that is why I want to fight for the team and win. We want to go a step at a time. Winning the Cup and playing Continental football is a big motivation. We want to give 100 percent in every match,” noted the defender.
FKF Cup a realistic shot for Tusker
Tusker FC players training in Kisumu.
Tusker are currently second in the FKF Premier League and just like last season are in chase of two titles, though the FKF Cup looks more realistic as they are seven points behind leaders Gor in the league.
Head coach Robert Matano says his team is looking forward to giving a good account of themselves.
“It will definitely be a tough match. Games against Homeboyz have never been easy and we saw last season what happened. They also beat us in the league but we have to come out strong and redeem ourselves. This is a chance to win a trophy and at Tusker, we always have to fight for titles,” the tactician said.
Tusker have been on a run of five wins in a row across all competitions, which includes their 2-1 win over Bumbani Stars in the first round. They have picked massive confidence from that run, and are looking to make it six and counting.
Homeboyz on the other end won 2-0 in their FKF Cup first round match while in the league, they have won two and drawn three of their last five games. Prior to that, they had been on a tough run with three losses and two draws. Overall in the last 10 games, they have won only twice.
They are seeking a boosting win to ensure that as defending champions, they don’t exit the tournament after two rounds.
Sofapaka host Bungoma Stars in the early kick off
Sofapaka FC players celebrate their win over Kakamega Homeboyz
Meanwhile in the early FKF Cup kick off at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, giant killers Bungoma Superstars will take on Sofapaka. Bungoma have eliminated two Premier League sides, beating Bandari 2-1 in the preliminary round before edging out FC Talanta on penalties in the second round.
They come up against a Sofapaka side battling relegation in the league, but have found a winning formula with new coach Zedekiah Otieno.
Sofapaka are looking to fight for the FKF Cup title, the only one within their grasp with the league all but gone.
“It will be tough and we cannot afford to underrate Bungoma. They have beaten top flight opposition and so we have to take them seriously. We are going all in to try and win to give ourselves a chance of getting a trophy this season,” said Otieno.
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