NAIROBI, Kenya, February 9 – The fourth DStv /SuperSport Cup will be played under floodlights on Wednesday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia will clash with GOtv Shield winners Sofapaka in the annual event that serves as a curtain raiser for the 2015 season that is scheduled to kick-off February 21.
Speaking on Monday when launching the event that returns after missing last year due to lack of sponsorship, KPL CEO Jack Oguda said both teams will be allowed to make six substitutions opposed to the normal three.
“It’s time to focus our energies on our local football after the conclusion of Africa Cup of Nations and this will be a great way to start it off. With the teams playing continental football, they have agreed to bend the rules and allow both teams to have six substitutions during the match,” the KPL boss declared.
The match that will be beamed live by SuperSport from 7pm local time, will be presided by a mouth watering clash pitting winners of two oldest tournaments in the country where Koth Biro winners 1000 street will lock horns with Kiko Cup winners Olympic talented at 4pm.
Title sponsors DStv and SuperSport have injected Sh1.25m (USD13, 677) to this year’s event that will be used as the prize money where the winner pockets Sh750, 000 (USD 8,206) while runner-ups will take home Sh500, 000 (USD 5,471).
“We are looking forward to the beginning of the league; we are showing our commitment in playing our traditional role in football. We are ready in-terms of production where we will broadcast the match in High definition with 12 cameras on location,” SuperSport East Africa General Manager Auka Gecheo underscored.
K’Ogalo will be looking for their third Super Cup title after winning it in 2009 and 2013 with head coach Frank Nuttall saying the team is ready for the tournament.
“It’s a good warm up preparation before we play in the CAF Champions League. It will be a good game and I’m looking forward for the Super Cup, I believe the players are too,” the Scotsman said.
Sofapaka who last won the Super Cup in 2011 will also be using the match to prepare for their CAF Confederations Cup where they will invite Zimbabwean side Platinum FC on Sunday at the same venue.