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Ulinzi Stars and AFC Leopards will tomorrow (Wednesday 21) square it out in a Kenya Cup (GoTV Shield) rescheduled round of 16 match at Afraha Stadium,Nakuru for their only remaining opportunity to win a trophy this season. With the 2015 league title already gone with Gor Mahia and the KPL Top 8 Knockout Tournament out of their reach, the prestigious gong is the only redemption for the two giants.
Smarting from a shock 2-0 loss to Thika United in the KPL over the weekend, the Soldiers who have already secured their second spot in the league will be going full throttle against an equally unpredictable Leopards for atonement.
“I have talked to my boys, and the loss to Thika United is now behind us, the focus is now fully on AFC Leopards. We want to lift the trophy, so we will not underrate our opponent.” Ulinzi Coach Robert Matano told Soka25east.com.
Ulinzi who were given a bye in the round of 32 could draw confidence in their relatively superior form against Leopards in KPL heading into this match – the six time KPL champions have come out victors thrice in the last six encounters with “Ingwe”, who have triumphed twice, with just a single draw being recorded during the same period.
Coupled with the many troubles at the den, the tie looks to favor the Nakuru based Soldiers on paper, however the Coach Zdravco Logarusic side cannot not be ruled out completely going by their spirited fight against constant threats from Mathare United in their last match on Sunday 18 which they drew nil nil.
Leopards who won the cup in 2013 labored to a 2-1 win over minnows Wazito FC to book a place in this round – a performance that does not inspire confidence heading into this big clash.
Logarusic however will be counting on his past experiences in this tournament to see through Ingwe. He won the cup with Gor Mahia in 2012 after a disappointing season to put a smile on the faces of the many K’Ogalo fans a feat he may want to replicate despite their many challenges.
Known for his superb defense tactics, Loga could push the match to penalties then bank on his on form keeper Lucas Indeche to deliver their hopes to the next round. The winner of this much anticipated tie will face another KPL side Bandari FC in the round of eight.
@bonfaceosano
