SportPesa Cup final: Kariobangi Sharks vs Bandari
Football
By
Ernest Ndunda in Dar es Salaam
| Jan 27, 2019
At stake is Sh3m with the runners-up getting Sh1m
Bandari and Kariobangi Sharks know what’s at stake when they clash this afternoon in an all Kenyan final affair in this year’s Sportpesa Cup at the 60,000 capacity National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The winner of the tournament will not only pocket $30,000 (Sh3 million), but will also get the chance to play against English Premier League Everton later in the year.
The runners up will also not go home empty handed as they will pocket Sh1m.
Prior to the final, Simba clash with Mbao in the third place play-offs starting at 1pm in an-all Tanzanian affair. Irrespective of where the trophy goes (Mombasa or Nairobi), the Kenyan football fraternity will pride themselves in watching the two Kenyan clubs clash in the final as once again a Kenyan team will face Everton after Gor Mahia played at Goodison Park last year.
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In today’s final, both Bandari and Sharks coaches Bernard Mwalala and William Muluya will be out to justify their coaching skills.
“We are second in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) with an unbeaten record and we are in good position of winning the league and SportPesa Cup is another title within our grasp.
“We want to win everything this season,” Bandari coach Mwalala said.
Mwalala will be looking forward to guiding Bandari to his first trophy since he took over the team from former Harambee Stars player Ken Odhiambo in June last year.
“We have the energy to play in the final and actually feel we will lift the trophy.
"Eliminating Tanzanian champions Simba in the semi-final was a testimony that we are a good team,” said Bandari captain Felly Mulumba who was declared the best defender in the 2018 SPL.
Sharks coach Muluya believes it will be a tough match.
"Bandari and Sharks have shown some individual talents and whoever scores first might as well be the winner," said Muluya, who is also enjoying unbeaten run in the SPL.
Sharks captain Patilah Omotto also said it will be a tight match for both sides.