The GOtv Shield quarter-finals gets underway this weekend with five SportPesa Premier League teams fighting to advance to the last four.
Champions Tusker will be up against on-form National Super League side Vihiga United on Sunday in another big test to their title retention plans.
Vihiga are perched atop the NSL table with 47 points from 20 matches, and famously beat Premiership regulars Kakamega Homeboyz last month to reach this stage.
Having lost just once in their 20 games so far, Vihiga United will be no pushovers even though the brewers stand head and shoulders above them in terms of squad depth and history.
On Sunday, AFC Leopards will face yet another high ranking NSL side Wazito in their quest to reclaim the title they last won in 2013.
Ingwe have recorded two losses and one draw in their last three league games, and will be desperate for victory as this is the only title they have a realistic chance of lifting.
This is the first time that Wazito have reached this stage, and coach Frank Ouna admits that his side has slim chances of making it to the next stage.
“We can’t compare ourselves to AFC. They have good players both local and international. They have a lucrative sponsorship meaning that their players are more comfortable, and more importantly, they have a coach (Robert Matano) who is experienced and who has won this particular cup before so it won’t be easy for us. We know that,” Ouna said.
It will also be interesting to see how Kariobangi Sharks will fare against lower tier side Eldoret Youth on Saturday.
The league debutants gallantly beat Sofapaka 3-1 at Nyayo to get to the quarter-finals, and are widely considered to be serious title contenders in this year’s trophy.
“This is a team we don’t know much about so already that is a challenge. It makes the game highly unpredictable so we have to be very meticulous in our approach,” said Sharks coach William Muluya.
GOtv Shield quarter-final fixtures
Saturday:
Kariobangi Sharks v Eldoret Youth (Nyayo Stadium, 1pm)
Bandari v Sony Sugar (Nyayo Stadium, 3.15pm)
Sunday:
Vihiga United v Tusker (Nyayo Stadium, 1pm)
Wazito v AFC Leopards (Nyayo Stadium, 3.15pm)
