KCB head coach Benard Mwalala believes they can leverage their recent impressive form in the Kenyan Premier League to charge for the Football Kenya Federation Cup title.
The Nairobi-based bankers have their sight firmly trained on the country’s second-biggest silverware after missing out on the top-tier title, which Gor Mahia retained on Sunday.
KCB booked a slot in Sunday’s semifinal following a hard-fought 1-0 win over dethroned champions Kakamega Homeboyz, Danson Namasaka’s solitary strike drawing the line at full-time.
They face a cunning Kariobangi Sharks side, best known for the enticing display of tiki-taka football that propelled them past FKF Division One side SS Assad in the hotly-contested quarterfinals a fortnight ago.
The winner will book a date in the final against the winner of another scintillating encounter between AFC Leopards and Kenya Police. Both matches will be staged at the 8,000-capacity Dandora Stadium in Nairobi.
Speaking during a training session at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, Mwalala expressed optimism ahead of Sunday’s crunch tie.
The seasoned gaffer said a morale-boosting victory against Talanta in their last league outing pumped enough zest and self-belief into the bankers’ camp ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
“We recently won against Talanta in the league, giving us a massive morale boost ahead of the Sharks’ tie. We have prepared well for this fixture and I am sure the boys will play their hearts out for the badge,” Mwalala remarked.
Mwalala will peg his hopes on the defensive quartet of Haniff Wesonga, Francis Oduor, Herit Mungai and Kelvin Okumu, who stood tall at the heart of the defence in the quarterfinal.
Experienced skipper Brian ‘Supa Rio’ Ochieng will forge an enterprising partnership with Danson Namasaka and Henry Ochieng in midfield.
Derrick Otanga, Stephen Etyang and Philemon Nyakwaka are expected to spearhead the hunt for goals.
Others are Bernard Odhiambo, Festus Shikhalo, Gabriel Andika, Derrick Otieno, Nashon Alembi, Lameck Luhangala, James Mazembe, Collins Neto and Shadrack Simiyu.
Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya said they are ready to dispatch their opponents from the competition on their way to the title.
“We respect KCB and we consider them as worthy opponents but we are determined to feature in the final,” Muluya remarked.
