NAIROBI, Kenya, May 19 – AFC Leopards will look to move a step closer to reclaiming their Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup title when they take on Kakamega Homeboyz in the semi-final on Saturday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Leopards last won the title in 2017, their 10th crown, and have endured six years of trophy drought.
Against Homeboyz, they will be keen for victory as the Cup is the only title on their horizon, with the league title already slipping off their hands.
They come up against Homeboyz, a match that has slowly over the last few years degenerated into a derby of sorts. This is just a few weeks after their last meeting that was abandoned halfway into the first half after chaos from the fans.
Homeboyz were leading 1-0 in the tie at the Bukhungu Stadium, and they will come to Nairobi to show it was no fluke.
“AFC is a good team and we know it wouldn’t be easy considering their experience in competitions. But, we are also going to be competitive and we have prepared physically and mentally for the game,” said Homeboyz coach Patrick Odhiambo.
Homeboyz have lost back to back matches against title chasing Tusker FC and Nzoia Sugar, and they will look to raise their motivation and mentality for the game.
They enjoyed a massive 6-0 thrashing of Kariobangi Sharks in the quarters to book a ticket in the last four.
And now, Leopards will look to decorate their season with a trophy, and the young side will be keen to make a good imprint of themselves especially after last weekend’s morale boosting over Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby.
Leopards edged out Bandari to make the semis, and they are keen to go one better.
Meanwhile in the early kick off, Robert Matano, the man who led Leopards to their last trophy, will be seeking the same honors with his current employers Tusker FC.
The brewers take on Ulinzi Stars as they chase another season double, having achieved the same in 2016. That year, they beat the soldiers 2-0 in the final, coincidentally with Matano on the opposite side coaching the army side.
“We expect a very tough match and we have prepared well for it. It is a trophy that we want to win and I have faith in my players that we will do well,” the tactician stated.
The brewers have drawn both games against Ulinzi this season, playing to a 0-0 stalemate in the first leg before coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the second leg at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
To make the final, Tusker edged out KCB 2-0 in the quarter finals while Ulinzi needed penalties to knock out Sofapaka after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
