- AFC Leopards last won the title in 2017
- They will play Division Two side Compel FC in the quarters
- Sharks face SS Assad in the other match
AFC Leopards and Kariobangi Sharks will be hunting tickets into the semi-final of the FKF MozzartBet Cup on Sunday, as the chase for silverware and a ticket to Continental football next season heats up.
Leopards head coach Thomas Trucha says he cannot afford to underrate Division Two side Compel FC as the two sides lock horns in the quarter finals of the FKF Cup. Trucha believes that the side cannot be predictable, noting that Cup games always offer surprises.
“It will not be an easy match 100 percent. We cannot underrate them because we have not watched them play. We just watched a few videos and we know that they are a determined side who fight for every ball,” the tactician stated.
Leopards only have the Cup to fight for this season, with the league already beyond their reach and coach Trucha says they need to give a good account to ensure they reward their fans with something.
“We are three games away from a trophy and this is the biggest motivation for us. We have to fight till the last whistle and the players are really motivated. It would be very great if we end this season with a trophy,” noted the coach.
Leopards endured trophy drought
Action between AFC Leopards and Shabana.
Leopards have endured a trophy drought of seven years. The last time they won a title was in 2017, when they won the Cup, with Robert Matano as coach then.
On a year they are celebrating 60 years, Leopards are eager to make the best of the opportunity and hand something for their fans.
To get to this round, Leopards eliminated Shabana FC, beating them 1-0 in the round of 16, while Compel showed they are not easy pushovers as they eliminated National Super League leaders Mara Sugar with a 2-0 victory.
Compel head coach George Mutimba says they are not afraid of Leopards and will give their best in a bid to make history and make the semis for the first time ever.
“We want to show what we can do as a team. We know we are facing a difficult opponent but we are ready. We have trained well and prepared adequately. We will give a very good account of ourselves,” the tactician said.
Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks will keep their hunt for a second FKF Cup title when they take on National Super League side SS Assad in the quarter finals. Sharks won the title in 2018, and are keen to go all the way to another crown especially after a recent good run in the league.
Muluya confident Sharks will do well
Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya explains a point to some of his players. PHOTO/Sharks/X
Head coach William Muluya says the team is upbeat of going all out for a piece of silverware. Despite playing against a team one division lower, he says they will give the game their ultimate best.
“We are playing Assad who are in the NSL but we know they are a good side. We cannot afford to go there relaxed because we might be surprised and embarrassed,” said the coach.
He added; “We have prepared well for the game and the confidence in the team is high. If you look at how much they want it, it gives you confidence that the players will give a good account of themselves.”
Sharks have been on a good run since the turn of the new year and are unbeaten in the last five games with three wins and two draws. Muluya hopes they can continue with the same form.
They have scored three goals in back to back matches, beating Tusker FC 3-2 and FC Talanta 3-0. To get to the quarter finals, Sharks were 2-1 winners over Ulinzi Stars, while Assad beat DXenmak FC on penalties in a Kwale derby.
Assad will be looking to continue in their fairy tale run, and a victory against Sharks will be a massive statement.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login