We Will Settle For Nothing Less Than SportPesa Cup Glory- Yidah
20th January 2019
Kenyan side Kariobangi Sharks midfielder serves notice to seven challengers ahead of Yanga quarterfinal
- Sharks quest to swim to the title will begin against current Tanzanian league winners, Yanga SC on Tuesday (January 22) at the National Main Stadium in the coastal city of Dar es Saalam from 4.15 pm EAT
- Sharks were formed in 2000 and have recently shown that they are a force to reckon with, having won their maiden title last season with the Shield and doubling that up with a Kenya Premier League Super Cup trophy, after beating Gor Mahia FC 1-0
- Sharks will be buoyed by the return of last season’s SPL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot Award winner, Eric Kapaito, who seems to have recovered well from an injury
DAR ES-SAALAM, Tanzania- Kariobangi Sharks FC midfielder Sven Yidah has issued notice to all 2019 SportPesa Cup challengers stating his team came to Tanzania to win and are prepared for any opposition thrown at them.
Sharks quest to swim to the title will begin against current Tanzanian league leaders, Yanga SC on Tuesday (January 22) at the National Main Stadium in the coastal city of Dar es Saalam from 4.15 pm EAT.
This will be Sharks second appearance in the regional competition, having been punished by Simba SC in the 2018 edition on penalties after failing to capitalize on the chances they created in a game of football, which they dominated.
Yidah has been instrumental for Sharks and played a pivotal role in their maiden trophy victory in the SportPesa Shield, edging Sofapaka 3-2 in a pulsating final, gifting them a chance at continental football.
The midfielder was speaking to SportPesa News after the William Muluya side concluded their first training session since arriving in Dar on Sunday.
“Training went well, the air is hot but it’s nothing that we haven’t experienced before so that won’t be a challenge for us. We are prepared to play and win against Yanga. We have come to show what Kariobangi Sharks can do and I am confident of making it through to the next round,” he stated.
Closest rivals
Yanga are perched at the top of the TPL, with 53 points, 12 ahead of their closest rivals whilst unbeaten Sharks sit third, six points off the top of the SportPesa Premier League table.
Yidah came to Tanzania fresh from scoring a late crucial equaliser in a 1-1 midweek draw away to Zoo Kericho FC and he is adamant their mission is to crowned the SportPesa Cup winners to give them the rights to host English Premier League side, Everton FC later in the year.
“I know they are doing well in their local league and are top but this is a totally different ball game. We are here to win. We don’t want to know who we are going up against, we are prepared to beat any opponent,” Yidah emphasized.
“Last time we were knocked out after the first game but we are a different unit. We are more experienced, from the technical bench to the players."
Sharks were formed in 2000 and have recently shown that they are a force to reckon with, having won their maiden title last season with the Shield and doubling that up with a Kenya Premier League Super Cup trophy, after beating Gor Mahia FC 1-0.
Gor are the only Kenyan team yet to descend upon the Tanzanian capital but are expected to jet on Monday having eliminated New Stars de Doula from Cameroon from the 2018/19 CAF Confederations Cup 2-1 on aggregate after forcing a 0-0 draw in the away leg on Sunday.
Sharks will be buoyed by the return of last season’s SPL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot Award winner, Eric Kapaito, who seems to have recovered well from an injury.
“His return is great for the team, it’s lifted the morale in camp. He was our best player last season and with him back in the squad, I am confident we will win,” he concluded.