Shield Semis Moved To Kasarani, Riveting Clashes In Store
20th September 2018
Holders Leopards lock horns with Sofapaka, losing finalists Sharks to swim with Ulinzi on Sunday
- In the first semi, Sharks who made the last four by out-shooting SportPesa Premier League (SPL) titleholders Gor Mahia FC are out to win their first ever trophy
- However, in Ulinzi, they have a formidable opponent eying a first domestic cup success having come close to winning the rebranded competition when they lost the 2016 final 0-1 to Tusker FC
- While they have blown hot and cold in the SPL, Leopards are the Shield top scorers and have finished their business in the rounds of 64, 32 and 16 as well as the quarters inside 90 minutes
- Batoto ba Mungu who are under the tutelage of John Baraza, the striker who fired them to their maiden domestic cup have also endured a stop-start campaign in the SPL
NAIROBI, Kenya- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has moved Sunday’s SportPesa Shield Cup semi finals from Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Last year’s losing finalists, Kariobangi Sharks FC will take on four-time league winners Ulinzi Stars FC in the first encounter before 2012 champions Sofapaka FC lock horns with holders AFC Leopards SC in the second fixture.
"The semi-finals of the FKF SportPesa Shield that had initially been slated for the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos will now be played at the MISC Kasarani.
"Both matches, set for Sunday, September 23, 2018, will also be aired live on Y254 TV. Ticket prices, meanwhile, have been set at KSh100 Regular and KES 300 VIP,” FKF said in a statement.
In the first semi, Sharks who made the last four by out-shooting SportPesa Premier League (SPL) titleholders Gor Mahia FC are out to win their first ever trophy after finishing third and second in the last two editions of the competition.
William ‘Kanu’ Muluya’s side fell 0-2 to Leopards at the 2017 final played at Kasarani but there is belief in the Sharks camp this could be their year.
The Kariobangi-based team warmed up for the semi by mauling Leopards 3-1 in their SPL encounter on Tuesday for their fourth win on the bounce.
However, in Ulinzi, they have a formidable opponent eying a first domestic cup success having come close to winning the rebranded competition when they lost the 2016 final 0-1 to Tusker FC.
Tails up
Coach Dunstan Nyaundo’s soldiers will also arrive at Kasarani on Saturday with their tails up after humbling SPL champions Gor 2-0 on Wednesday, setting an exciting prospect to the first semi that kicks off at 1pm local time (+3GMT).
On paper, the second clash that starts at 3:15pm has the potential of producing the eventual champion with 10-time winners Leopards hoping to break the domestic cup record they share with archenemies Gor.
Now under Argentine boss, Rodolfo Zapata, Ingwe have devoted all their energies on retaining the Shield after their ambitions of winning a first league trophy in 20 years was shattered by the all-conquering Gor.
While they have blown hot and cold in the SPL, Leopards are the Shield top scorers and have finished their business in the rounds of 64, 32 and 16 as well as the quarters inside 90 minutes.
When stretched, the Shield holders have shown the nous required in a cup competition, exemplified by their round of 16 victory over minnows Mwatate United FC who play in the third-tier of Kenyan football on July 25 at Kasarani.
After the Taita Taveta based side took a shock half-time lead through James Musyoka, Leopards dug deep to turn around the contest when substitute Eugene Mukangula and a late Ezekiel Odera strike, scored deep in stoppage town saw Ingwe through.
Second division National Super League side, Kenya Police FC were blown away 4-1 in the quarters to set up a date against 2012 cup champions Sofapaka.
Batoto ba Mungu who are under the tutelage of John Baraza, the striker who fired them to their maiden domestic cup have also endured a stop-start campaign in the SPL, having challenged Gor for long spell before trailing off in the last month to drop from second to fourth on the log.
Found teeth
Like Leopards, they have found their teeth in the knockout competition and in the quarters, Sofapaka ended the dream of their former boss, Robert ‘The Lion’ Matano of becoming the first coach to win the competition four times.
Batoto ba Mungu edged Tusker 2-1 in Machakos on September 2; with Ezekiel Okare coming off the bench to net a 72nd minute winner after teammate Umaru Kassumba cancelled out Jackson Macharia’s opener for the Brewers.
Thus ended the charge of Matano who has won the competition with Sofapaka (2012), Tusker (2016) and Leopards last year with the holders knowing the former will not roll over in the face of Ingwe’s might when they meet on Sunday.
The Shield final will be played on October 20 with the winner qualifying to represent Kenya at the 2019 CAF Confederations Cup besides collecting KSh2m (USD19,839) in prize money and a trophy.
Bookmakers SportPesa announced their partnership with FKF to rebrand the competition in April for an initial period of three years.
Fixtures
Kariobangi Sharks vs Ulinzi Stars (MISC Kasarani, 1 pm) LIVE on Y 254 TV
Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards (MISC Kasarani, 3.15 pm) LIVE on Y 254 TV