Step Back: Here Comes The Shark Attack!

DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania- Kenyan side Kariobangi Sharks FC landed in Dar-es-Salaam on Saturday afternoon with the sole purpose of swimming in the glory of the 2019 SportPesa Cup in Tanzania.

The SportPesa Shield champions will be featuring in the eight-team invitational knockout affair for the second successive year after their debut in the 2018 edition in Nakuru, Kenya ended in a disappointing exit at the quarterfinals.

Sharks will dig their teeth against record Tanzania league winners, Yanga FC in the second last eight tie at 4:15pm local time (+3GMT) at the National Main Stadium.

Speaking upon arrival, captain and Kenya international Eric Kapaito underlined their intentions to lift the second silverware in the history of the club established in 2000.

“I promise Sharks fans good results. Playing Everton is motivation for us to come here and seek victory.

“Last year, we left too early and that taught us a lot about playing international teams. We went on to win the Shield and played in the Confederations Cup so we are improving with each day,” the star midfielder stated.

Dar giants Simba SC capitalised on wasteful finishing from Sharks to punch their semi final ticket when they edged a keenly contested quarterfinal 3-2 on penalties after a barren stalemate in regulation time.

Head coach William ‘Kanu’ Muluya told their heartbreaking loss at the encounter played at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, motivated his side to win their first trophy when they beat local Sofapaka FC to clinch the Shield trophy.

“We played one game and were knocked out. This time, we are looking for victory against Yanga and beyond. We will play a game at a time.

“We missed so many chances against Simba and we learnt from that,” Muluya told reporters at Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar as evening descended on the coastal city.

Regional showdown

The Kenyan side have brought a potent team with the reigning SportPesa Premier League Most Valuable Player, Eric Kapaito, who was the best striker in his domestic top flight last season among those Muluya is counting on to bang in the goals.

The Sharks boss backed his side to give the Tanzania Premier League leaders who were in action on Saturday a good go as they plot to atone for their early exit last year.

“We will give Yanga a competitive match and they can expect good football. Our football and that played in Tanzania are similar.

“We are not an experienced team as they are but we have shown we can be good against big teams and that is what I expect here.”

Like all teams in the 2019 SP line-up, Sharks are eying the opportunity to host nine-time English champions Everton FC later this year.

Sharks were the second Kenyan side to arrive in Tanzania for the tournament hot on the heels of AFC Leopards SC who checked in earlier in the day.

Bandari FC are expected in the early hours of Sunday morning with two-time SP Cup champions Gor Mahia FC, arriving after connecting from Cameroon 24 hours later following their CAF Confederations Cup return tie against New Star de Doula FC.

Besides Simba and Yanga, Singida United FC and Mbao FC are the other Tanzanian teams in the line-up for the regional showdown that wraps up on July 27.

The winner will take home a USD30,000 cash prize alongside the right to host Everton on their second tour of East Africa and a gleaming trophy.