Record champions Gor Mahia eye FKF Cup glory

Gor Mahia's Patrick Kaddu celebrates his goal during FKF Premier League match against Vihiga Bullets. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions Gor Mahia will be seeking to transform their FKF Premier League form to the FKF Cup today when they travel to face Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium.

The 1pm early-kick off match will be among four other scheduled round of 16 encounters across the country.

Bandari and AFC Leopards will play National Super League sides Mwatate United and Muranga Seals at Mbaraki Sports Complex and Kasarani Stadium respectively as Nyayo Stadium hosts a double header pitting Sharks and Equity alongside KCB and Bidco.

But all eyes will be on the Kakamega fixture as the newfound Premier League rivals battle at Bukhungu.

Gor are currently six-points clear at the top of the FKF Premier League with 45 points after 21 rounds.

With the league top scorer Benson Omalla (19 goals) and their new signing Patrick Kaddu from Uganda hitting the ground running with a debut hat-trick on Wednesday against Vihiga Bullets (5-0), Gor coach Jonathan McKinstry believes they can topple Homeboyz.

Despite their mixed results against Homeboyz in their last six meetings (3 wins, 2 defeats and a draw), McKinstry is sure the squad depth and quality he has at his disposal is enough to get Gor a win.

"It has been a good run in the league and now we have to transition the same in the cup competition. I am happy with the squad that I have and the quality that Kaddu brings will be good for our strikers' competition," he said.

But for AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems, this is another perfect chance for them to return to the continental football.

"We win our next 3 games, we are in. The problem is they are not easy games; we have played Muranga Seal before. We know they have quality," said Aussems.

The winners of the FKF Cup will represent Kenya in next season's CAF Confederation Cup.