Jovial Sharks Confident Of Sending Mbao To SportPesa Cup Woods

24th January 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

Kenyan domestic cup champions wary of the threat posed by fellow tournament giant-killers ahead of last four clash

THIS IS HOW WE SHALL RECEIVE IT: Kariobangi Sharks FC players muck around during their training session at the Uhuru Stadium, Dar-es-Salaam on January 24, 2019 ahead of their 2019 SportPesa Cup semi final against Mbao FC of Tanzania. PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

Sharks displayed brilliant attacking football to race to a 2-0 lead over Tanzanian heavyweights Yanga SC before surviving nightmarish defending in the closing stages to emerge with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday
Their reward was a last four meeting with tournament debutants, Mbao at the National Main Stadium in the coastal commercial capital of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
The SportPesa Premier League side clinched a first ever trophy when they won last year’s domestic cup before edging Gor 1-0 in the season’s KPL Super Cup curtain raiser

DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania- Kariobangi Sharks FC are beaming with confidence as they prepare to take on surprise semi-finalists Mbao FC in the 2019 SportPesa Cup battle of the giant-killers on Friday.

Sharks displayed brilliant attacking football to race to a 2-0 lead over Tanzanian heavyweights Yanga SC before surviving nightmarish defending in the closing stages to emerge with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday.

Their reward was a last four meeting with tournament debutants, Mbao at the National Main Stadium in the coastal commercial capital of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Forward Duke Abuya deservedly received the man of the match award after bagging a brace to inspire the SportPesa Shield champions to one of their biggest victories in history.

“We had a great game but conceded late goals and concentration is something that we are working on.

“We have moved on from the win and now all our focus is on the next game, which we are confident that we will get a good result from,” head coach William Muluya told SportPesa News on Thursday.

Their opponents and SP Cup first timers Mbao stunned defending champions Gor Mahia 4-2 on penalties after their match ended 1-1 in normal time to go through.

NOW THAT'S FUNNY: Kariobangi Sharks FC head coach, William Muluya, in a jovial mood during their training at Uhuru Stadium, Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania on January 24, 2019. PHOTO/SPN

Sharks were in the stands for the match and saw enough to take their opponent’s seriously as they aim to book a place in Sunday’s final on their second showing at the eight-team regional tournament.

“There is no big or small team in this competition, every side has their strong points and our job is to do our best at all times.

“It’s good that we are in the last four but it will be even better to represent Kenya in the final and that is what we have set our minds to achieve,” Muluya added.

Sharks were unfortunate to be knocked out in the quarters of the 2018 edition in Nakuru when they bowed out on penalties to Singida but have since proved to be worthy of being mentioned among the big guns in East African football.

The SportPesa Premier League side clinched a first ever trophy when they won last year’s domestic cup before edging Gor 1-0 in the season’s KPL Super Cup curtain raiser.

“We are prepared to challenge any team that we face. Everyone is in high spirits and we will make sure we display the same attitude on the pitch tomorrow.

“We have a lot to prove now that we are in the semis and we are motivated enough to make it to the final on Sunday,” captain Eric Juma added.

Juma was one of the star players who started on the bench against Yanga, alongside last season’s SPL top scorer Eric Kapaito, as both work to regain their full fitness after returning from injury.

“I’ll wait for the doctors report to decide whether they will start the game but regardless I have a good team to cope with any kind of threat Mbao pose,” Muluya underscored.

The match will be played at the National Main Stadium tomorrow at 4:15pm local time, right after compatriots Bandari FC take on Simba SC at the same venue with the tournament hash tag #SportPesaCup the place to be as the drama unfolds..

2019 SP CUP SUMMARY

QUARTER FINAL RESULTS

Singida United FC 0 Bandari FC 1

Yanga SC 2 Kariobangi Sharks FC 3

Mbao FC 1 (4) Gor Mahia FC 1 (3)

Simba SC 2 AFC Leopards SC 1

SEMI FINAL FIXTURES (EAT) FRIDAY, JANUARY 25

2.00 pm: Bandari vs Simba

4.15pm: Sharks vs Mbao