Leopards Out To End SportPesa Shield Giant-Killers Bungoma Super Stars Run

29th March 2019 - by Erick Ochieng

Ten-times champions, Gor will travel to Mbaraki in Mombasa on Wednesday to take on rivals Bandari FC after starting the competition on a positive note

Action between Kariobangi Sharks FC (in green) against Elim FC of Trans Nzoia at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on March 16, 2019. PHOTO/FKF

SUMMARY

Leopards head to the tie slated for Sunday at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega against the backdrop of a resounding 4-0 victory against Kitale based Transfoc FC in round of 32 of the domestic cup competition
The 2013 and 2017 champions will be relying on Isaac Oduro, Brian Marita and Vincent Oburu who proved their mettle against Transfoc to lead the charge for the only title Ingwe have the chance of winning this season after struggling to impose their might in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL)
Ten-times champions, Gor will travel to Mbaraki in Mombasa to take on SPL rivals Bandari FC after starting the competition on a positive note, thrashing hapless Kenpoly FC 4-0

KAKAMEGA, Kenya- Joint 10-time record holders and 2017 champions, AFC Leopards SC are out to extend their imposing cup record when they lock horns with Bungoma Super Stars FC in the SportPesa Shield round of 16 that gets underway at various grounds a cross the country this weekend.

Leopards head to the tie slated for Sunday at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega against the backdrop of a resounding 4-0 victory against Kitale based Transfoc FC in round of 32 of the domestic cup competition.

The 2013 and 2017 champions will be relying on Isaac Oduro, Brian Marita and Vincent Oburu who proved their mettle against Transfoc to lead the charge for the only title Ingwe have the chance of winning this season after struggling to impose their might in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL).

But they should be wary of Super Stars whose were among the giant-killers of the opening stage of the competition after eliminating three-time champions and SPL leaders, Sofapaka FC with 5-4 win on post-match penalties at Sudi Stadium in Bungoma.

At the same time, Muranga Seal FC who crushed Kisumu All-Stars 4-1 to book a date with title holders, Kariobangi Sharks FC, have warned the latter to expect a tough encounter in their clash that has now been pushed to Monday at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi.

“We will tackle Sharks with the same vigour we had against All-Stars, I believe there are no underdogs in this tournament,” Seal head coach David Mahira who is also a former Gor Mahia FC midfielder underlined.

Sharks, who are also the 2019 SportPesa Cup champions, edged Sofapaka 3-2 in last year's final played at MISC Kasarani to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup where they thrashed Arta Solar 7 of Djibouti both home and away before being edged out by Asante Kotoko FC of Ghana in the play-offs.

Ten-times champions, Gor will travel to Mbaraki in Mombasa to take on SPL rivals Bandari FC after starting the competition on a positive note, thrashing hapless Kenpoly FC 4-0.

Gor have a SPL date with Sharks at Moi Stadium in Kisumu where victory will propel them to the top of the league table.

Apart from Sofapaka, giants already toppled from the Shield competition are Ulinzi Stars FC who lost 5-4 on post match penalties to little known SS Assad FC based in Ukunda.

SPORTPESA SHIELD ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

Saturday March 30, 2019

Mwatate United vs Congo Boys (Wundanyi Stadium, 3pm)

SS Assad vs Naivas (Ukunda Show Grounds, 3pm)

Bidco United vs Dero FC (Thika Stadium, 3pm)

KCB vs Vihiga Sportiff (Machakos Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday March 31, 2019

Western Stima vs Wazito (Moi Stadium Kisumu, 4pm)

AFC Leopards vs Bungoma Superstars (Bukhungu Stadium, 4pm)

Monday April 1, 2019

Kariobangi Sharks vs Muranga Seal (MISC Kasarani, 4pm)

Wednesday April 10, 2019

Bandari vs Gor Mahia (Mbaraki Sports Club, 4pm)