• “We are prepared for the match and we have a rich squad that can easily deliver the silverware. We are aware we are facing a very good side but we are ready to prove our mettle against them, nonetheless,” Barasa added.
•Ulinzi’s Bernard Mwalala fired a warning shot at their opponents, telling them to brace for the fight of their lives.
Image: FILE
Kenya’s second-largest football competition, the FKF Cup, takes centre stage this weekend with all eyes trained on the eagerly-anticipated Afande derby pitting Ulinzi Stars against Kenya Police.
And as the two behemoths limber up for the crunch tie that will be held at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday, their coaches have pledged endless fireworks.
Police coach Francis Baraza reckons his charges have sharpened their talons well enough to carry the day.
The law enforcers have bolstered their armory with three new acquisitions and Baraza is eager to unleash them on their opponents. They include last season’s top scorer Derrick Otanga, Harambee Stars’ first-choice custodian Patrick Matasi as well as experienced midfielder Abud Omar.
“We are prepared for the match and we have a rich squad that can easily deliver the silverware. We are aware we are facing a very good side but we are ready to prove our mettle against them, nonetheless,” Barasa added.
Ulinzi’s Bernard Mwalala fired a warning shot at their opponents, telling them to brace for the fight of their lives.
“We are going for nothing short of a win. It’s long since we graced the continental stage and the entire camp is eager to prove a point this season,” Mwalala said.
The competition, which is held every year to choose the team that will represent the nation at the Caf Confederation Cup, began a fortnight ago.
Eleven Kenyan Premier League sides are among the 16 clubs that advanced to the pre-quarters stage. The crunch tie between defending champions Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu on Sunday is expected to produce a lot of fireworks.
The record Kenyan champions are eager to clinch a double this season given that they have also taken command of the Kenyan Premier League, where they have opened a five-point gap atop the leaderboard.
They beat bitter rivals AFC Leopards 5-2 on post-match penalties at Nyayo Stadium in June last year to clinch the last edition of the domestic cup.
KCB, have a tricky tie against Kenyan Premier League rivals Bidco United at Kasarani Annex on Sunday.
The bankers head into the encounter as favorites given they currently place second on the KPL log compared to their opponents who are tucked in the middle of the table.
Division One side, Rainbow will dare KPL champions Tusker to a duel at Kasarani Annex in one of the matches set for Saturday. Sofapaka have a date with National Super League side Darajani Gogo at Police Sacco on Saturday.
Kariobangi Sharks face Equity at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, the day that Murang’a Seal and AFC Leopards will square off at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Coastal sides Bandari and Mwatate United will settle scores at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Sunday.
The winner will pocket Sh2 million, while second, third, and fourth-placed teams will receive Sh1 million, Sh750,000 and Sh500,000 respectively.