Bandari set sights on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup defence

Chairman Betway Kiprono Kittony during the draw and launch of FKF Cup partnership in Nairobi on Tuesday 14, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Bandari will launch their Football Kenya Federation (FKF)  Betway Cup defence against either Re-Union FC or Kenya School of Government (KSG) in the second round next month with team manager Wilson Oburu optimistic of retaining the title.

The Dockers, alongside nine other Kenyan Premier League teams (KPL), were handed a bye to the second round of the domestic cup competition which starts this weekend.

A host of KPL sides, including former champions of the domestic cup Tusker, have shunned this year’s tournament whose winner will represent Kenya in the 2020-2021 CAF Confederation Cup.

“We have always treated this tournament with the seriousness it deserves because it is a shortcut to playing continental football,” Oburu said after the draw for the 48-team competition yesterday.

Meanwhile, the FKF Cup received a shot in the arm after gaming firm Betway came on board to sponsor it to a tune of Sh15 million per year until 2021, a move that sees the competition renamed to Betway FKF Cup.

“We believe that this partnership will accord our players the much needed opportunity to showcase their talent in the field,” said Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa.

Winners of this weekend’s first round fixtures will proceed to the round of 16 slated for February 15 and 16.