Leopards ready for Elim Cup clash

AFC Leopards team manager Tom Juma says the club will play to its full strength when they face third tier side Elim FC during their FKF Cup round of 32 clash at the Kenyatta Stadium in Kitale on Sunday.

The cup is Leopards most realistic chance of silverware this season with their league campaign already hurt by inconsistent performances that have left them with an 11-point gap to close after 20 rounds.

It also gives Leopards an opportunity for a return to continental football since 2017 when they featured in the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 in the cup final.

“We are taking all matches seriously and Sunday’s game is not exception because we undertsnad the importance of this competition. All players are our players and so whoever will get the opportunity has to be up to the task against Elim,” Juma said.

Juma has also noted that the team has no pressure to win the cup but as the technical bench they aim to register better results one game at a time.

The 12-time league champions will miss the services of both Marvin Nabwire is injured, Collins Sichenje who is sick and Clyde Senaji who is out for ‘personal reasons’.

The Elim tie will however be a good platform for the newly signed players to make their debut apart from Elvis Rupia who has been quickly absorbed in the starting eleven to fill the void left by striker John-Mark Makwata who joined Zesco United of Zambia in January transfers.

Former Tusker and Posta Rangers mid fielder Luis Misiko, Francis Manoah formerly from Kariobangi Sharks, Omar Somombwana from St Peters Mumias, Dan Musimali and MKU winger Dan Sunguti are those who are eying to have their names on the team sheet come Sunday.

Other matches scheduled for Sunday include Ulinzi Stars who will travel to the Mumias Complex to take on Luanda Villa while 2018 winners Kariobangi Sharks play Kenpoly in Kasarani.

FKF Shield Fixtures

Second Round

Saturday, February 15,2020

1. Jericho Revelation vs Bidco United(Camp Toyoyo, 11 am)

2. Tandaza vs Posta Rangers(Camp Toyoyo, 1:30 pm)

3. Balaji EPZ vs Sofapaka (Camp Toyoyo,4:00pm)

4. Zetech Titans vs FC Talanta(Ruiru Grounds, 3 pm)

5. SS Assad vs Fortune Sacco (Ukunda Show Ground, 3 pm)

6. Nyabururu Sportiff vs Kisumu Allstars (Gusii Stadium, 3 pm)

7. Egerton vs Wazito (Afraha Stadium, 3 pm)

8. Flamingo vs Migori Youth (Flamingo Grounds, Naivasha, 3 pm)

9. Transfoc vs Ushuru (Kenyatta Stadium, Kitale, 3pm)

Sunday, February 16, 2020

1. KSG Ogopa vs Bandari (Machakos Stadium, 3 pm)

2. Naivas vs Gor Mahia (Kasarani Stadium, 3:30 pm)

3. Kenpoly vs Kariobangi Sharks (Kasarani Stadium, 1 pm)

4. Keroka Technical vs Vihiga United(Gusii Stadium, 1 pm)

5. Zoo Youth vs KCB (Gusii Stadium, 3:30 pm)

6. Elim vs AFC Leopards (Kenyatta Stadium, Kitale, 3 pm)

7. Luanda Villa vs Ulinzi Stars (Mumias Complex ,3 pm)