Debutants Langata Gremio face a baptism of fire in their quest to reach the next round of the GOtv Shield tournament after they were paired with record winners and unbeaten KPL champions Gor Mahia.
Prior to the draw, Gremio coach Nicholas Ochieng, whose team is featuring in the Nairobi County League, said he believes in the boys and he is confident of advancing to the later stages of the competition. Ochieng will now be seeking to emulate national Super League side, GFE 105, who upset Gor in last year’s competition. GFE will face off with Kenya Methodist University this time round.
Defending champions Sofapaka will face Nakuru All Stars as the only teams from the Kenya Premier League to meet in the first round of the event next weekend.
In a draw conducted on yesterday at the Jamuhuri Park, a total of 56 teams were entered with only four teams seeded unlike last year when the KKPL sides joined in the second round of the tournament. Last year’s losing finalists Posta Rangers will start their campaign against Nanyuki Stars. In a repeat of last year’s quarter finals, AFC Leopards will face FKF Premier League side Ligi Ndogo in the first round of the tournament. Some of the juicy games to watch will involve Shabana against Ulinzi sugar and Zoo Kericho against Sony Sugar.
DRAW: Sofapaka vs Nakuru All Stars, Posta Rangers vs Nanyuki Stars, Nzoia United vs Nairobi Stima, Fresha vs Field Negroes, Nyakach United vs Tusker, Timsales vs Vapor Sports, KeMU vs GFE 105, Gor Mahia vs Langata Gremio, Muhoroni Youth vs Kitengela Shooters, Mwatate Utd vs Ushuru, KCB vs Finlays, Homeboyz vs Palos, W.Stima vs Boma, Talanta vs Mosc, Sharks vs Police, Oserian vs Kangemi All Stars , Bondo Utd vs Chemelil, Bandari vs Savannah, City Stars vs Transfoc, Nakumatt vs Mumbi Nationale, Kanjeru Utd vs Border Lions, Zoo vs Sony, St. Joseph vs Agro, Thika Utd vs Technical University of Mombasa, Shabana vs Ulinzi Stars, Modern Coast vs Magharini, West Kenya vs Bidco and AFC vs Ligi Ndogo.
