NAIROBI, Kenya, May 22 – Kenyan Premier League (KPL) sides Ulinzi Stars and Muhoroni Youth are among 10 clubs given byes when the GOtv Shield Round of 52 draw was conducted Thursday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
Zoo Kericho, Finlays Horticulture, Ulinzi Warriors, Intercity, Shabana FC, Administration Police, Nairobi Stima and Wazito FC are the other teams that will join seeded champions AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia in the round of 32.
At the event, 40 sides were drawn to battle it out on the weekend of May 31 and June 1 where 20 teams will be knocked out.
“We decided to give the teams a bye because it’s the mechanism of the draw. We started with 64 teams and now we are remaining with 52 and for us to have the tournament flow we had to give 10 teams automatic passage.
“But they were picked fairly since a draw was conducted to decide beneficiaries. We wanted teams from lower leagues to get opportunity of making the quarter finals,” Football Kenya Federation CEO Michael Esakwa stated after conducting the exercise.
Among the mouth watering clashes expected next weekend, Tusker FC will lock horns with Western Stima as Thika United square it out with Chemelil Sugar in all KPL ties.
Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s side Sony Sugar has been drawn against KPL bottom placed Top Fry Nakuru while Mathare United invite Super League side Bidco United.
In form league newcomers KRA host GFE 105 while Sofapaka will be away to take on coast based Vibwanga FC as Bandari United play Busia United.
Struggling KCB will lock horns with Ligi Ndogo while cash strapped Nairobi City Stars entertain Modern Coast setting up the chance of an upset for the top flight sides.
“We are taking this tournament seriously and come the day of the match we will give our best. We have been playing Western Stima in the league so we are going to prepare for the game and treat it like other matches,” Tusker Team Manager, Willis Waliaula told Capital Sport while commenting on the draw.
Leopards will meet the winner between Mathare United and Bidco in a banana skin encounter for the 2008 league champions while league champions Gor are set for a potentially easy ties when former KPL side Rangers FC play Vihiga United for the right to meet K’Ogalo.
Winner will receive Sh2m (USD 22,753) and represent the country in the CAF Confederations Cup next year.
Draw
Mathare United vs Bidco United
KRA vs GFE 105
Ligi Ndogo vs KCB
Busia United vs Bandari
Mumbi Nationale vs Nzoia United
Rangers vs Vihiga United
Palos Fc vs Nakumatt
Chemelil Sugar vs Thika United
Tusker FC vs Western Stima
Fresha FC vs MOYAS FC
Sony Sugar vs Top Fry Nakuru
ST Joseph vs Kakamega Homeboyz
FC Talanta vs Mahakama FC
Leventis vs Agro Chemicals
Nyakach United vs Kariobangi Sharks
City Stars vs Modern Coast
Vibwanga FC vs Sofapaka
West Sugar vs Karuturi Sports
Hot Springs FC vs Transfoc
Imara United vs Oserian FC