FKF Premier League heavyweights are set to face lower-tier teams in the FKF Cup, aiming for the championship and a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Three teams from the Football Kenya Federation Premier League are beginning their pursuit of domestic success and the opportunity to represent Kenya in the esteemed CAF Confederation Cup, starting with the preliminary rounds of the FKF Cup this weekend.
This elimination tournament is famous for its matchups between high-ranked teams and ambitious lower-league clubs.
The preliminary round showcases six thrilling games at different locations across the country.
The victorious teams will proceed to the Round of 32, joining 26 other teams with their eyes on winning the FKF Cup and earning a place in the next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Among the participants, reigning champions Kakamega Homeboyz have already made it to the Round of 32 and are set to begin their defense on February 24 against Solian City, an FKF Division Two team.
Representing the Football Kenya Federation Premier League in the preliminary round are Posta Rangers, Kenya Police, FC Talanta, and Bandari.
These top teams will compete against VEGPRO, Wisdom Academy, Marafiki, and Bungoma Stars, respectively.
Bandari, the domestic cup winners in 2019, will rely on their veteran winger Abdallah Hassan, a member of their winning team, to repeat their earlier success.
Kenya Police’s coach, Salim Babu, highlighted the importance of the tournament as a gateway to international football.
Babu plans to use the tournament to give playtime to players who have been less active in the league, balancing their league and cup goals.
“This tournament is very important for us. It provides another way to international football, and we plan to take full advantage of it. We will rotate our team to give every player a chance to show their skills,” Babu said to the press.
The National Super League team Luanda Villa, currently in eighth place with 24 points after 17 games, aims to disrupt the norm and make an impact when they play Al Azizia at the renowned Kinoru Stadium in Meru County on Sunday.
Reflecting the high stakes and appeal of the tournament, the financial incentives are significant, with the champions receiving Sh2 million, Sh1 million for the second-place team, and considerable prizes for the third and fourth-placed teams.
