Bandari Youth coach Alex Shikanga is not afraid of hosts Obunga FC as the two sides collide in a Safaricom Chapa Dimba semifinal at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.
“We didn’t come to Kisumu as tourists. I know we are playing against the hosts but we are ready. We want to take the trophy to Mombasa,” said Shikanga.
“However, our main target is to expose these young players. We have eight players promoted to the Bandari senior team in the last two years. Winning this trophy will be a motivation for the boys.”
Obunga’s team manager John Okello said they will utilise home-ground advantage.
“We have analysed them and we know their weak points. We shall exploit those weak points as we seek to lift the trophy,” said Okello.
“We want the trophy to remain in Nyanza. The boys are psyched up and ready to make Nyanza proud.”
In the second semifinal, Ebwali Secondary from Western will battle Uasin Gishu’s PASC Langa.
Ebwali coach Francis Muhambe, however, rued injuries to some key players including prolific forward Derrick Oketch and Vincent Otieno.
“We are crossing our fingers. We pray that they will be fit for the semifinal clash. We played on AstroTurf which affected my players while our opponents played on grass,” said Muhambe.
Obunga overcame LYSA 3-1 in Thursday's quarterfinal while Ebwali edged Chuka University’s Scorpions 2-1. PASC Langa thrashed Dandora Young Stars 4-1 as Bandari Youth thrashed Wajir Youth 6-1 at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
The winners will take home Sh1 million and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships.
The runners-up teams will take home Sh500,000 each with the 2nd runners-up taking Sh250, 000.
Outstanding players including the best goalkeeper, top scorer and Most Valuable Player will each receive Sh50,000.
In addition to each player's prize money, winners and runners-up will also get Neon smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphones in Kenya.
