Defending champions Tusker drawn to face Sofapaka in Top 8 opener

A sumptuous football menu looms on the horizon following the Kenyan Premier League Top Eight draw conducted on Wednesday.

Champions Tusker will begin their title defence against Sofapaka as Gor Mahia aim to recapture the title they won in 2012 when they open their campaign against bogey team Thika United in the knockout tournament.

AFC Leopards, who are yet to lift the  title since it was launched in 2011, will confront  Mombasa-based Bandari as newcomers Kenya Commercial Bank face Ulinzi Stars, who won  the inaugural title in 2011.

UNDER-19 LEAGUE

The tournament will kick off on April 5 with the finals set to be held on June 14.

Speaking at the event, KPL Chief Executive Jack Oguda said that the monies raised from the tournament will be channelled to sponsoring the under-19 league tournament that will be held in August during school holidays.

“The aim of this competition is to raise funds. We call on fans and stakeholders to rally behind their teams and come forward to make the tournament better,” he said shortly before the draw was conducted.

Gor, Leopards, Sofapaka and KCB, who finished in the top four bracket in the league race last term, were seeded.

In a departure from the past, this year’s tournament will be hosted at different venues across the country with the newly refurbished Moi Stadium in Kisumu that has an artificial surface, set to host some of the contests. The semi-finals will be played on home and away basis while the final will be a one match affair. Winners will pocket Sh1 million.

KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier, who is also the Gor Mahia chairman, called on clubs to identify and nurture talent.