•Pool 'A' has Mlandege (Zanzibar), Azam FC (Tanzania), Chipukizi (Zanzibar),and URA (Uganda).
•Tanzania's Simba SC, Jamhuri (Zanzibar), APR (Rwanda), and Singida FountainGate (Tanzania) will flex muscles in Pool 'B'.
Image: HANDOUT
Kenyan Premier League club Bandari will fly the country’s flag at this year’s Mapinduzi Cup on December 28 in Zanzibar.
The coastal lads are grouped in Pool ‘C’ alongside Tanzanian behemoths Yanga SC, KVZ (Zanzibar), and Vital’O of Burundi.
Pool ‘A’ has Mlandege (Zanzibar), Azam FC (Tanzania), Chipukizi (Zanzibar) and URA (Uganda).
Tanzania’s Simba SC, Jamhuri (Zanzibar), APR (Rwanda), and Singida Fountain Gate (Tanzania) will flex muscles in Pool ‘B’.
All the matches will be staged at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. Bandari FC vice chairman Twaha Mbarak exuded confidence ahead of the tournament, saying they possess the mojo to seal the title.
“I would like to assure the country that we are confident the tour team is well prepared to face the other regional giants. I urge all football fans in the country to give us full backing. We promise to make the country proud,” Mbarak remarked.
“As the sole ambassador for Kenyan football, the Dockers are poised to make waves at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, showcasing what Kenya is made of against formidable opponents from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.”
Mbarak urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to create avenues for local teams to grace such international platforms for maximum exposure.
“FKF needs to encourage and facilitate local teams to participate in international tournaments as a platform for our players to showcase their God-given talents, which could be an opportunity to venture into the international market,” Mbarak stated.
“A case in hand is the highly hyped Mapinduzi regional tournament to be held in Zanzibar from December 28 to mid-next month where Kenya will be represented by Bandari FC.
He extolled Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and the government following their efforts to bring the Africa Cup of Nations into the country, adding that this will be a great opportunity for football players and fans to be part of the continental event.
“I, however, advise FKF to bring stakeholders together if they intend to host a successful event. Let Nick Mwendwa know that the division among the stakeholders being witnessed currently will worsen the already bad state of the game in the country,” Mbarak stated.
Mbarak further lauded the introduction of the Talanta Hela Under-19 football tournament that lit up the nation.
“If the talent witnessed in the just concluded Talanta Hela inter-county tournament is anything to go by, then the program is promising to promote football at the grass roots and empower footballers countrywide.”