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The Law Enforcers will look to carry their form into the FKF Cup as they host the Soldiers.
This year’s FKF Cup Round of 16 does not get any bigger than the match between Kenya Police FC and Ulinzi Stars as they go head to head at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture, dubbed Forces Derby, promises to be a tight but exciting affair as this will be the very first time that the two sides lock horns in a cup match in recent years.
Ulinzi certainly have their work cut out as Police are arguably one of the on-form top-flight teams. The Law Enforcers are currently undefeated in their last three encounters, which signals an ominous task for the Soldiers.
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08:40 - 31.03.2023
FKF CUP Newly built Police Sacco Stadium to host inaugural fixture
It will be the first time ever for the two sides to meet in the Last 16 of a knockout competition.
Ulinzi finds themselves seventh on the log, and the lucrative knockout tournament may seem like an attractive prospect to salvage something positive this season.
The Soldiers have not recorded a win in their last three league fixtures but have otherwise put in some impressive performances of late and will need to quickly put down the challenge offered by their hosts to build back some momentum.
Police have been playing a free-flowing brand of football this season, where they have scored 30 goals compared to 23 by Ulinzi Stars.
The Law Enforcers will be without midfielder Patilah Omoto and defender Baraka Badi who are nursing injuries.
However, Police coach Francis Baraza is optimistic that his charges will come out victorious and book a quarterfinals ticket.
“We have prepared well and since we will be at home, we have no reason not to get a positive result. I know they lost to Nzoia Sugar and will be itching for a win.
We have to take our chances and win, making it to the quarterfinals means we will only be three matches away from achieving our dream,” said Police FC coach Francis Baraza.
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18:34 - 31.03.2023
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The midfielder had witnessed limited play time at AIK.
Meanwhile, in the day’s other games, National Super League (NSL) side Darajani Gogo will open the last 16 round of the tournament when they host 2014 champions Sofapaka at the Police Sacco Stadium with kickoff set for 1 pm.
Gogo squeezed into the stage after beating Nyota FC 1-0, while Sofapaka overcame Division Two outfit Karatina Super Stars 3-0.
“If we manage to play at this level, we are not going to lose a lot this season. We will continue the process in the future and be stronger than we were,” said Gogo coach Caleb Ariga.
Sofapaka are also ready for the match and all players will be available for selection as they do not have any injuries.
Against Gogo, David Ouma’s charges are expected to line up their new signings led by latest acquisition Brent Omwena.
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09:45 - 06.03.2023
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The league giants are among the teams still in contention for the domestic trophy.
“We have been working hard in training, and having had a solid start into the tournament, we hope to go all the way to clinch the cup and get to represent the country at the continental stage,” added Brent.
Both teams will be on a high as Gogo beat Silibwet 2-0 while Batoto ba Mungu thrashed Kakamega Homeboyz 3-0 in their last match.
Elsewhere, minnows Rainbow FC host Tusker at Kasarani Annex in the other afternoon kickoff.
The clash is set to be the Division One outfit’s biggest test to date as they look to tame an attack that has arguably one of FKFPL's most lethal attackers in Deogracious Ojok.
The Ugandan hitman has already found the back of the net on five occasions this season and he will hope to build on that form.
Once again, Rainbow FC head coach Marcel Oile will rely on the likes of creative mastermind Pascal Masila and Ryan Ongam to contribute to the cause alongside the club’s leading goal scorer Paul Jawa.
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16:40 - 06.03.2023
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Omondi has been limited to few minutes this season owing to cutthroat competition.
For Tusker, though, the game gives them a chance to claim their fifth cup title, having last won the trophy seven years ago.
However, they will be wary of the third-tier side and will hope to use the fact that they sailed over Berlin FC in the previous round.
“It is a knockout tournament so we have to rise to the occasion and win. Rainbow is a tough team but we are equal to the task, if we play according to our plans we will be victorious,” said Tusker midfielder Stewart Omondi.
Tusker are in good form as they have not lost their last five matches in all competitions, but coach Robert Matano believes an improvement in their mentality and attitude bodes well ahead of this potential banana skin clash in the cup.
Round of 16 fixtures:
Saturday
Sofapaka v Darajani Gogo (Police Sacco Stadium, 1pm)
Kenya Police v Ulinzi Stars (Police Sacco Stadium, 3.15pm)
Rainbow v Tusker (Kasarani Annex)
Sunday
Kariobangi Sharks v Equity (Nyayo, 1pm)
Kakamega Homeboyz v Gor Mahia (Bukhungu, 1pm)
Murang’a Seal v AFC Leopards (Kasarani)
Bandari v Mwatate United (Mbaraki)
KCB v Bidco United (Nyayo, 3.15pm)
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