Premier League clubs quest for continental football action

By Gilbert Wandera

With cut throat competition being witnessed in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), the Cup competition has suddenly taken a new importance and could be an alternative avenue to pick silverware this season.

AFC Leopards coach Jaan Koops said his side who are chasing the league title will also give the Cup competition the same seriousness.

Leopards won 3-1 against Congo United on Sunday to make it to the quarter-finals of the Football Kenya Cup competition whose winner will qualify to represent the country in next year’s Confederations Cup.

“The Football Kenya Cup is not a distraction to our title ambitions because the matches are played on different days. We are taking it just as serious and I have talked to my players to give it equal importance,” said Koops.

Harsh words

He praised their Sunday opponents for giving them a hard time in the first half and admitted that he had to use some harsh words on his players during the break.

“In the first half, we were out-played in the midfield and we had to always go back to our defence. This is not what I had instructed them to do and was clearly upset by the time we broke for half time. I don’t like using harsh words on my players because generally they follow my instructions, but was forced to do it and I am glad it worked and helped us get positive results,” said Koops.

After making it to the last eight, Leopards are scheduled to take on Karuturi Sports, who edged out division one side Nairobi Stima.

Karuturi coach Michael Nam whose side is struggling in the KPL said they hope to make up for their poor performance in the Cup competition and praised his boys for showing strong character to overcome Nairobi Stima on post-match penalties on Sunday.

“Nairobi Stima were a good side and they gave us a run for our money but I praise my players for maintaining their cool to the end and ensure we make it to the last eight,” said Nam.

Tusker coach Robert Matano who led his side to a historic 13-0 win over Wamo said they have set their sights on the FKF Cup as well and insists that it will not interfere with their chase for the league title.

“This tournament is just as important as the league and gives our players more playing time. We are not underrating it in any way and we hope to be in the final next month,” he said.

Asked whether chasing two trophies will not take its toll on the players, Matano who is making a return to the KPL, having lead Sofapaka to the 2009 title said: “We have a squad of 30 players and it will mean that we give others a chance to play. It is no good having players warm the bench,” he said.

Apart, from Karuturi, Leopards and Tusker, other teams that have made it to the quarter-finals of the Cup competition are Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Muhoroni Youth, Talanta, Gor Mahia and Sofapaka.