By Peter Ochieng
After months of action-filled encounters, curtains of the 2024 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Mozzart Bet Cup come down today, with two matches at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi.
AFC Leopards will face Kariobangi Sharks in the third-place playoff match at 11am, before the grand finale between Kenya Police and KCB. The match kicks off at 2pm.
Kenya Police secured the final spot after beating AFC Leopards 1-0, while KCB beat Kariobangi Sharks 4-2 via post-match penalties in the semifinals.
After finishing third on the FKF Premier League log during the just concluded 2023/2024 season behind Champions Gor Mahia and Tusker FC, Police FC under head coach Salim Babu are focused on clinching the Mozzart Cup title.
Babu said he is looking forward to winning the title, so as to land a ticket to the CAF’s Confederations Cup next season.
“From the start, we’ve set continental football as our main target. But first, we must get over the KCB hurdle and then think about continental football. This is a perfect chance to show how Police FC have progressed in recent years,” stated Babu.
KCB will miss the services of assistant captain Brian “Rio” Ochieng and forward Derrick Otanga. The two are suspended. Otanga said he believes his colleagues will bring the trophy home, despite his absence.
“I have full confidence in my teammates. They can bring the trophy home. It has always been about teamwork and not individuals,” he added.
Having won the FKF Cup title with Bandari FC in 2019, KCB Head coach Benard Mwalala believes he has what it takes to guide his charges to the title, later today.
“First things first. We’ve not done well in the league this season, and we are working hard to reward our sponsors with this Cup. After that, we will think about the Confederation competition. Our focus is on how to utilize these 90 minutes and get the title,” he said.
KCB finished 10th in the league. Besides the continental spot being at stake, a prize money of Sh2 million is also at stake.
