Gor, Bandari clash highlight FKF Cup Round 16 fiesta

Action gets underway on Saturday at the KPA Sports Club, Mbaraki, where Denmark FC will play host to Kariobangi Sharks in an early kickoff at 1:00 PM.

The Sharks, who reached the semi-finals last season, are aiming to go all the way this time around.

In another enticing clash, National Super League (NSL) leaders Nairobi United will lock horns with top-tier side KCB FC at Dandora Stadium from 3:00 PM.

KCB, who came agonizingly close last season—losing the final to Kenya Police FC in a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout after a barren draw—will be eager to finish the job this time.

But the headline fixture of the day will be staged once again at the KPA Sports Club, where coastal heavyweights Bandari FC take on FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia from 3:30 PM.

K’Ogalo have received a timely boost ahead of the crunch tie, with star striker Benson Omalla cleared to play following the arrival of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from Lebanese side Al Safa FC. Gor Mahia eased into the Round of 16 after a 5-0 rout of Division Two side Githurai All Stars.

Sunday promises equally high-octane encounters, with a much-anticipated 'bandit versus police' showdown between FKF Premier League leaders Kenya Police FC and Division Two’s Kapenguria Heroes at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, from 1:00 PM. The defending champions will be wary of a giant-killing act but remain firm favourites.

Simultaneously, Bidco United will battle military side Ulinzi Stars at the same venue. Ulinzi will come in buoyed by their emphatic 6-0 demolition of Jumbo T FC in the previous round.

Meanwhile, at the SportPesa Arena in Murang’a, Murang’a Seal will face Kibera Soccer FC at 3:00 PM. Seal advanced to this stage after edging out Fortune Sacco 4-3 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Another high-stakes clash will go down at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, where 2023 champions Kakamega Homeboyz square off against Shabana FC at 3:00 PM.

Homeboyz welcomed back their first-choice goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who resumed training on Thursday after kakamega high court lifted his suspension over match-fixing allegations. Shabana, on the other hand, are eyeing a place in the quarterfinals after last season’s heartbreak—a 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards in this same stage.

One Round of 16 fixture remains pending—Compel FC vs Mara Sugar FC—as FKF awaits the outcome of AFC Leopards’ appeal over their abandoned Round of 32 clash.

The match was halted in the 89th minute following a pitch invasion by Leopards fans after a rescinded penalty. Although Mara Sugar were initially awarded the win, the final decision will be determined by the FKF Appeals Committee.

WEEKEND FIXTURES – FKF CUP ROUND OF 16

SATURDAY

Denmark FC vs Kariobangi Sharks – KPA Sports Club, Mbaraki – 1:00 PM

Nairobi United vs KCB FC – Dandora Stadium – 3:00 PM

Bandari FC vs Gor Mahia – KPA Sports Club, Mbaraki – 3:30 PM

SUNDAY

Kenya Police FC vs Kapenguria Heroes – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos – 1:00 PM

Bidco United vs Ulinzi Stars – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos – 1:00 PM

Murang’a Seal vs Kibera Soccer – SportPesa Arena, Murang’a – 3:00 PM

Kakamega Homeboyz vs Shabana FC – Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu – 3:00 PM