The 2023-2024 football season concludes in Kenya on Saturday at Ulinzi Sports Complex, with Kenya Police and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) aiming to make club history and secure a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.After a gruelling knockout phase, the duo from the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) remain.Police aim to secure their first major silverware since promotion to the top-flight league, while the bankers, guided by one-time domestic cup winner Bernard Mwalala, look to end a twenty-year trophy drought.KCB has faced criticism for failing to win trophies despite their substantial financial support. Similarly, police have yet to meet high expectations since their promotion to the FKF Premier League, despite being perceived as having the best talents in the country.Kesho mapema ndio best 🔥 tukutane Ulinzi Sports Complex kwenye fainali ya Mozzart Bet Cup. #MozzartBetCup pic.twitter.com/36oBT4pnkd— Mozzart Bet Kenya (@mozzartbetkenya) June 28, 2024 KCB secured their spot in the final after a 4-2 victory in post-match shootouts against the Kariobangi Sharks, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.The law enforcers earned their place by defeating the AFC Leopards 1-0 in a match played over two days due to fan trouble at Police Sacco Stadium.Police head coach Salim Babu believes losing the final will be too costly, as he aims to guide the team to their first-ever continental football.”From the start, we’ve set continental football as our main target. But first, we must get over the KCB hurdle and then think about continental football. This is a perfect chance to show how Police FC have progressed in recent years,” said Babu.Babu’s counterpart, Mwalala, is also keen to lift the title and salvage a below-par season that saw the Bankers finish in tenth place.Mwalala, who won the Cup with Bandari in 2019, believes he can replicate his past success this year.”First things first. We’ve not done well in the league this season, and we are working hard to reward our sponsors with this Cup. After that, we will think about the Confederation competition. Our focus is on how to utilize these 90 minutes and get the title,” said Mwalala.KCB goalkeeper coach Samuel Okoth “Koko” highlighted the club’s progress and emphasized the importance of staying focused against the police.”KCB has made significant strides in recent seasons. Qualifying for this Cup’s final is massive for the club eyeing its first-ever trophy. I call upon the team to remain focused and wary of the police’s threat ahead of the weekend fixture. We aim to win the match and earn an opportunity to participate in continental football next season,” said Koko.KCB will miss assistant captain Brian “Rio” Ochieng and forward Derrick Otanga, who are suspended after receiving yellow cards in the quarterfinal and semi-final clashes.Wesonga puts behind Emerging Stars heartbreak, fully focused on Mozzart bet cup finalDespite sitting out the final, Otanga trusts his teammates’ capability to bring the trophy home and make history for the bankers.”I have full confidence in my teammates. They can bring the trophy home. It has always been about teamwork and not individuals,” he told Mozzart Sport.Besides the Sh. 2 million cash prize, the winning team will represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.Preceding the final will be the third-place playoff, as the AFC Leopards take on the Kariobangi Sharks at 11:00 EAT.##NAJAVA_MECA_8186110##
