PuraVida Sports

By ELIAS MAKORI

In Monday’s Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 16 draw conducted by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Head of Leagues and Competitions, Frank Ogola, one of the standout pairings was that of non-leaguers Kuta Collection FC vs SportPesa Premier League “Glamour Boys” Shabana FC.

And soon after veteran players Wilson Obungu and Innocent Mutiso – who assisted Ogola with the pairings – drew the two clubs out of the pots, the Kisii-based side was already fancying their quarter-final chances, confident of overpowering Pura Vida Media Limited-sponsored Kuta Collection FC, a stellar cast of experienced yet unattached players alongside exciting young talents.

Shabana had eliminated Muhoroni Youth in a seven-goal thriller at Gusii Stadium earlier this month, their 5-2 triumph coming after a 2-0 away win over Eldoret’s Commons FC at the Eldoret Showground on February 7 in the opening Round of 64.

Long-serving Organizing Secretary Stephen Kiama said he’s happy to play Kuta Collection FC, noting that “it’s Shabana’s year” and that they are confident of overcoming the non-leaguers.

“The draw means some more clubs will go home… The boys just need to turn up here (Nairobi), win the game against Kuta Collection and then we can start thinking of playing in the quarter-finals. We look forward to playing Kakamega Homeboys in the semi-finals…” on optimistic Kiama reacted after Monday’s draw at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Kuta Collections FC scored a second-half goal through exciting Somali international midfielder Ibrahim Elias Ahmed “Mao” to edge out FKF Division Two League (Eastern Zone) side KSG Ogopa FC 1-0 in the Round of 32 at Kasarani Annex earlier this month after having eliminated FKF National Division One side Al-Azizia FC of Meru 6-5 on post-match penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation play at the Kinoru Stadium, Meru, on February 11.

Midfielder Augustine Kuta, a coach-player and founder of Kuta Collection FC, was more measured in his approach to the Round of 16 clash against Shabana FC who draw from a huge support base only second to AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.

The Shabana fan base, complimented by the newly-formed “Ultras” – a hard-core support group – have in recent times even surpassed the “K’Ogalo” and “Ingwe” legion of supporters since their return to the top flight two seasons ago.

“It has been a great experience being a non-league team participating in such a competition. It’s a good fixture and at least it’s a great challenge for the unattached boys because they will face an experienced opposition that will help them know where they are at,” Kuta reacted.

“We are into business now because we are facing a big team but our boys are equally ready, most of them having played in the top flight before… we will take it a step at a time, game by game, and see how far we can go, but with the competition entering the final stages, we will try and challenge ourselves and see if we can go for the Cup and win it.”

Winners of the Mozzart Bet Cup qualify to represent Kenya in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup in which last year’s winners Nairobi United qualified for the group stage this season.

The other exciting Round of 16 fixture is that between giant-slayers BB Bread FC, a lower division Nairobi league side, and Kenya Police FC, the 2024 Cup champions and reigning league title holders.

The bakery boys stunned giants AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia in the Round of 64 and Round of 32 matches, respectively, to storm the Round of 16 where they hope to slay another giant in league champions Police FC.

“It has been a good ride and we have enjoyed it… it’s now time to focus our guns on Police FC. The objective of every team is to win a match and we shall go there and win and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup,” BB Bread CEO Philip Gitonga said, oozing confidence.

Kenya Police FC are wary of the excited underdog and will certainly approach the Round of 16 fixture with respect to avoid the embarrassment that visited “K’Ogalo” and “Ingwe” in the BB Bread oven.

“We have seen it all… there is no small team in this league (tournament). BB Bread have come with a lot of zeal and they have a lot of energy, we can’t take them lightly,” Malkit Singh Main, the Police FC Trustee Board Treasurer, said on behalf of the club.

Complete 2026 Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 16 fixtures (home teams first; venues to be confirmed; matches on weekend of April 11/12; ):

Posta Rangers vs Nairobi United;

Kuta Collection FC vs Shabana;

3k FC vs Bandari;

Mfalme vs Murang’a Seal;

KCB vs Chebaiywa Lions;

Kakamega Homeboyz vs Ulinzi Stars;

Kenya Police vs BB Bread;

Tusker vs Kariobangi Sharks.

elias.makori@ymail.com