This year’s GOtv Shield will kick off on June 25 with champions Bandari facing Lamu based Tezo FC in the opening round of matches.
Last year’s finalists Nakumatt will be away to Super Matuga while ten time champions Gor Mahia take on Mahakama Mombasa.
Sixty four teams from all over the country will battle it out for the Shs 2Million cash prize in the country’s oldest football tournament. In addition to the prize money, the winner represents the country in next year’s Caf Confederations Cup.
Thirteen Kenyan Premier League clubs and 15 National Super League sides will be seeded as well as Administration Police, Fresha, Fortune Sacco and GFE 105 from the lower leagues based on their performance in the tournament last year.
Three Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs will skip the tournament including 2005 winners Nairobi City Stars, 2014 champions Sofapaka and two time victors Mathare United.
“This year we want to make it bigger and better, and as SuperSport we will showcase the games in each round starting with the first round on the weekend of the 25th. We will go far and wide to bring the matches from as many parts of the country as possible,” said Head of SuperSport Africa Andre Venter during the launch on Thursday.
“We are also thankful to FKF, with the new office under Nick Mwendwa, who has been supportive from the very start of their tenure and we believe with this great cooperation will result to a great tournament,” he added.
“We are happy to partner with SuperSport in yet another milestone in Kenyan Football, it is our belief that this tournament being FKF’s first since assuming office will be a step in the right direction not only for the participating clubs but also for us a federation and football in general,” said FKF President Nick Mwendwa.
And added he; “In line with best football practices, FKF will pay allowances for match officials and hire venues for the tournament to enable clubs concentrate on the competition.”
GOtv is into its fourth year of a five year sponsorship deal signed back in 2013 that saw Kenya’s premier knockout competition renamed the GOtv Shield and General Manager Felix Kyengo is delighted with the partnership.
“Since the launch of the sponsorship in July 2013, we have seen an overwhelming response for the tournament from the players, fans and even subscribers. We appreciate the FKF support and wish to state GOtv’s commitment towards bringing even more value to Kenyan television lovers with the launch of such exciting content for sports lovers in the country,” said Kyengo.
“By virtue of being the sole sponsors, GOtv and SuperSport are reinforcing the ongoing commitment to the Kenya football landscape as a loyal and long-standing friend.”
Draw
Fortune Sacco vs Zetech University
Butterfly vs Administration Police
Tusker vs Machakos United
Uprising Youth vs Kenya Police
Posta Rangers vs Timsales
Mwatate United vs Ushuru
Agro Chemicals vs Baba Dogo United
Transfoc vs Vihiga United
Western Stima vs Limuru Olympic
Oyugi All Stars vs Fresha
Kakamega Homeboyz vs Lang’ata Gremio
Mumbi Nationale vs AFC Leopards
Thika United vs Vapour
Egan vs MOSCA
GFE 105 vs Isiolo Youth
Taqwa vs KCB
Nzoia United vs Meru Tigers
Kiambu All Stars vs Savannah Cement
Gor Mahia vs Mahakama Mombasa
K-Chiefs vs Nairobi Stima
Muhoroni Youth vs Amani Youth
Umoja vs Ulinzi Stars
Chemelil Sugar vs Nyakach United
Leventis vs Talanta
Modern Coast Rangers vs Coast Stima
Tiki vs SoNy Sugar
Kariobangi Sharks vs Nairobi Water
Isibania vs Palos
Nakumatt vs Super Matuga
Tezo vs Bandari
Wazito vs Taveta Sisal
Nakuru All Stars vs Bidco United
