AFC Leopards will commence their Elijah Lidonde Cup title defense on Saturday afternoon with a semi-final match against the National Super League side, Mulembe United, at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County.Four teams will grace the tournament: AFC Leopards, Mulembe United, Kakamega Homeboyz, and Nzoia Sugar FC; all teams from the Western Region.##NAJAVA_MECA_7759431##The tournament is part of the celebration of Elijah Lidonde, a former AFC Leopards great who died in 1987.Ingwe won the inaugural edition in 2022 and walked away with a prize of KES. 1 million after beating Nzoia through penalties. The second-placed team received KES. 500,000, the third-place playoff winners Mulembe, and Vihiga Bullets got KES. 300,000, while Kakamega Homeboyz, the playoff losers, received KES. 250,000.This year the prize money has been altered a little with third-placed team getting KES. 250,000 and the fourth-placed one walking home with KES. 200,000. The money the winner and second-placed team will get remain unchanged.On Saturday afternoon, starting from noon, AFC Leopards will take to the pitch against Mulembe United. Ingwe is struggling in the league and is just above the relegation zone, but they should be in a position to see off United without many problems.Gor win to open 5-point FKFPL leadThey will, however, be wary of the second-tier side, which has boosted their squad with players from teams like Green Commandos and will be out to stun a confidence-low Ingwe when the two meet.With the transfer window opening in a fortnight, these players could also be out to impress the Ingwe technical bench with a good performance, making the team even more tricky.Last year, the two sides met at the same stage of the tournament where Leopards edged out United 5-3 to qualify for the final that they eventually won against the millers.After the opening game, Kakamega Homeboyz and Nzoia Sugar FC will take to the pitch at 3 PM. The two teams head into the game at the back of mixed fortunes: Homeboyz lost their final league match of the year to Nairobi City Stars yesterday, while Homeboyz stunned KCB on Friday.Last year, the two teams met at the same stage of the tournament where Nzoia mauled Homeboyz 5-2.Nzoia set to recruit two custodians
