NAIROBI, Kenya, January 22 – League champions Gor Mahia have been drawn to face Sofapaka whilst GOtv winners AFC Leopards will take on Mathare United for the right to contest the second Kenya Power Charity Cup on February 2 at Nyayo National Stadium.
The domestic giants earned the berth to play in the one day tournament after emerging the top four after the month-long public voting through SMS code 30330 was closed on Tuesday.
The exercise involved 14 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) teams and six from the lower division with the Kenya Power-sponsored, Western Stima, missing out on the party unlike last year.
Speaking while unveiling the teams on Wednesday, Kenya Power Managing Director, Ben Chumo, said proceeds from the competition will go towards improving sports facilities.
“Last year we raised Sh5.4 m (USD 62,900.34) and we hope to increase the amount. We upgraded Nairobi City Stadium floodlights, renovated Kawangware Sports Ground and Dandora Social Hall.
“I appeal fans to rally behind their teams by coming to the Stadium because in this way, we will highly support the initiative,” the KPLC boss appealed.
Incoming KPL and Gor chairman, Ambrose Rachier, urged organisers to extend the competition to more than one day.
“This being the second edition, we must strive improving it to make it better than last year, in terms of funds and the quality of football that will be played,” the Gor chairman said.
With the league set to kick-off two weeks after the Charity Cup, the participating clubs will use the tournament to test their new signings and the fitness of the players.
This is also a good platform for K’Ogalo and Ingwe, to gauge their squad ahead of the continental assignment set to run a week later whilst setting up the prospect of a mouthwatering Mashemeji derby to get the campaign going.
Even though there were reports that Leopards will not take part in the competition due to injuries, club Secretary General, George Aladwa, confirmed the team will participate.
“All that is rumors, AFC Leopards will fully take part in the competition because we have not played any friendly match and it will be a good build up to the team,” the former Nairobi Mayor confirmed to Capital Sport.
Ingwe emerged the top after collecting 11,875 votes, Mathare pulled a surprise in second with 11,384 as Gor who have a wide fan base ‘only’ settled for 9,804. Defending champions Sofapaka, was the last team to qualify with 3,636.
The competition will be played in a knock out format with the two winning teams heading straight to the finals.
Entrance fee is Sh200 (USD 2.3) for terraces while VIP tickets will sale at Sh1, 000 (USD 11.6).
The winner pockets Sh1m (USD 11,648.23) while runners up bags Sh600, 000 (USD 6,988.94) and third place will walk away with Sh300, 000 (USD 3,494.47).
