Sofapaka to meet defending champions Bandari

There will be some interesting match ups in the third round of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup after the completion of the second round which saw top tier sides pushed to their limits. Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia needed a stoppage time winner from Boniface Omondi to beat lower tier side Naivas 3-2 and progress to the next round.

While K’Ogalo have had unmatched success in the league, they have failed to replicate that form in the Cup competition having failed to win it since 2012 when they beat Sofapaka on penalties.

In 2013, they lost in the final to arch rivals AFC Leopards wit Peter Opiyo scoring the lone goal, in 2014 they lost to GFE 105 on penalties in the third round, in 2015 they lost to Nakumatt (now Mount Kenya United) in the semis.

This time, they face another tough hurdle as they have been paired with fellow Premier League side Posta Rangers in the round of 16.

At the same time defending Cup champions Bandari will face off with four-time champions Sofapaka. While the dockers were 2-0 winners over Kenya School of Government in their second round tie, Sofapaka were forced to work harder before beating Balaji EPZ 5-4 on penalties.

Sofapaka lost the 2018 final to Kariobangi Sharks while they failed to get off the second round last season.

In other ties, former champs Kariobangi Sharks face second tier side Talanta, while AFC leopards tackle Ushuru FC. KCB will play Wazito in the other tie pitting two Premier League sides.

FKF Cup Round Of 16 pairings:

• FC Talanta vs Kariobangi Sharks,
• Posta Rangers vs Gor Mahia,
• Sofapaka vs Bandari,
• Bidco United vs Fortune Sacco,
• Keroka Technical vs Kisumu All Stars,
• Ushuru vs AFC Leopards,
• KCB vs Wazito,
• Migori Youth vs Ulinzi Stars

FKF Cup weekend results

Saturday:

Jericho Revelation 1-2 Bidco United, Tandaza 1 (4) – (5) 1 Posta Rangers, Balaji EPZ 0 (4) – (5) 0 Sofapaka, Zetech Titans 2 (5) – (6) 2 FC Talanta, SS Assad 1(0) – (3) 1 Fortune Sacco, Nyabururu Sportiff 0 (3) – (4) 0 Kisumu Allstars, Egerton 0-1 Wazito, Flamingo 0-1 Migori Youth, Transfoc (3) 0-0 (5) Ushuru

Sunday

KSG Ogopa 0-2 Bandari, Naivas 2-3 Gor Mahia, Kenpoly 0-2 Kariobangi Sharks,*Keroka Technical 2-0 Vihiga United, Zoo Youth 1(3)-1(4) KCB, Elim 0-1 AFC Leopards (Kenyatta Stadium, Kitale, 3 pm), Luanda Villa 1(8)-1(9) Ulinzi Stars.