Sofapaka to battle it out with Kariobangi Sharks in the Sportpesa Shield Final on Saturday

Kenyan Premier League sties  Sofapaka and Kariobangi Sharks will lock horns at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 20th October 2018 (Mashujaa Day) to determine who clinches the 2018 Sportpesa Shield silverware. The winner will represent Kenya in the 2019 CAF Confederations Cup. The match kicks off at 3.15 pm EAT.

Sofapaka beat Tusker 2-1 in the quarters before edged defending champions AFC leopards by a solitary goal to make it to this final. Sharks on the other hand bundled Gor Mahia out of the tournament in the last by beating them 4-2 on post match penalties before thrashing Ulinzi Stars in the semi final fixture.

Before the final on this Mashujaa Day, AFC Leopards will play Ulinzi Stars in the curtain raiser to determine who finishes 3rd, this match shall kick off at noon.

This journey kicked off with 64 teams derived from all over the country all with the target to represent Kenya in the 2019 CAF Confederations Cup. AFC Leopards clinched the shield in 2018.

In addition to the trophy, the winner will pocket Ksh 2 Million ($20,000) while the runner’s up will take home Ksh 1 Million. The winner between Ingwe and the Soldiers will bag Ksh 750,000 while fourth place attracts a Ksh 500,000 cash prize.

Kariobangi Sharks’last meeting in the Shield tournament was at the quarter-finals stage in 2017 when the William Muluya-coached Sharks won 3-1 on their way to a second place finish.

Since their promotion to the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) in 2016, Sharks have never lost to Sofapaka in a competitive match, winning twice with all the other three meetings ending in barren draws.

This statistic should give Sharks a psychological edge as they seek a chance to compete with the best in Africa.

While stating their intentions of winning the Shield, Sharks coach William Muluya said they are keen to play as a team without necessarily relying on 2018 SPL Golden Boot winner Erick Kapaito.

Kapaito, 27, clinched the individual award after notching 16 goals which included two hat-tricks and two braces.

Enroute to the final, Muluya’s charges eliminated SPL champions Gor Mahia 4-2 in post-match penalties and sealed their place in Saturday’s decider with a 4-1 rout of Ulinzi Stars.On the other hand, Batoto Ba Mungu beat Tusker 2-1 in the quarters before seeing off AFC Leopards 1-0 in the semis.

Sofapaka coach John Baraza will be looking to win his first major title as a coach.

This is when he guides Sofapaka against Kariobangi Sharks in the final of the 2018 SportPesa Shield, a game which will be staged on Mashujaa Day at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

This fixture carries special meaning for Baraza, who was instrumental for Batoto ba Mungu in two instances which the team won the domestic cup (in 2010 and 2014).