The inaugural SportPesa Super Cup football tournament kicks off tomorrow at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Kenyan giants AFC Leopards will open the contest against Singida of Zanzibar in a tricky encounter that is expected to go either way.
Apart from gunning to lift this coveted trophy,AFC is looking forward to redeem its image with this tournament after a poor show in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) whose first leg was concluded the other Sunday.
AFC had looked promising at the start of the season. At one point they cruised to command the SPL log but mysteriously blew away the good run which saw them end the first leg in 12th place with 15 points. There is no any other better way in which Ingwe can thank their legion of fans than by delivering this trophy home.
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The fans too are in high expectation that the club will return to its winning ways after the tournament now that they have acquired a new and experienced tactician from Romania.
Even though Ingwe has an upper hand in the encounter, the players should not underrate Singida as the latter are among the giants clubs, alongside Jang’ombe to reckoned with in Zanzibar. Another fiery battle looming at the venue pits Vodacom champions Yanga against SPL champions Tusker FC, to be played at 4.15pm.
This is definitely a mouthwatering encounter owing to the fact that the two sides are the reigning champions with good players worth their signing in the region.
“The tournament will give us the much needed exposure,” Tusker FC captain James Situma noted.
While explaining their reasons for coming up with the SportPesa Super Cup, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri noted: “For decades since the Gossage Cup started in 1926, Kenyan and Tanzanian teams have been involved in classic football battles which have excited and captivated their supporters at home and across Africa.
“So SportPesa realized the need to bring back the glorious days of Kenyan and Tanzanian football by launching this tournament.”
The proud winner of this lucrative tournament will face a famous English Premier League side on July 13.
“The tournament will be annual with the second edition scheduled for Kenya next year.” SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri.
UTILITIES
June 5 fixtures at Uhuru stadium, Tanzania
AFC Leopards vs Singida(Tanzania) 2pm
Yanga (Tanzania) vs Tusker FC 4.15 pm
June 6 fixtures at Uhuru stadium, Tanzania
Gor Mahia vs Jang’ombe Boys FC(Zanzibar) 2.pm
Simba (Tanzania) vs Nakuru All Stars 4.15 pm
June 8
Semifinals
June 11
Finals
Prize Money
Prize Money
Winner – Sh3million
Runners up – Sh1million
Losing Semifinalists – Sh500,000 each
Losing Quarter finalists – Sh250,000 each
