Nairobi City Stars has been drawn against Mutomo Tigers of Kitui in the first round of the Domestic knockout competition – Betway Cup.
In booking the short 167km road trip to Kitui during a draw held on Thursday 4 February 2021 for a battle of the cats, Simba wa Nairobi will be featuring in the domestic Cup for the first time since year 2016
The team made the second round of the competition then only to fall off after a 3-2 loss to Chemelil Sugar at the Chemelil Complex.
City Stars – then known as World Hope – first participated in the domestic (Transparency) cup in 2004 in their promotion year.
The team went on to win it on attempt two (Presidents Cup) the next year after seeing off Tusker 2-1 in a final at City Stadium to book a continental ticket.
City Stars then gave the competition a wide berth only to return and participate in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In the first two instances the team made it to the third round only to be knocked out by Sofapaka and Wazito – then a lower tier side.
In 2015 and 2016 the team failed to proceed past the second round after defeats to Nakumatt and Chemelil Sugar.
“We are putting lots of importance in the Betway Cup as it allows us to give playtime to players who don’t get regular places during the league matches,”
“Secondly the cup will help us improve on our game approach as a loss means you are out and a win allow you to proceed.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno who attended the draw
According to the fixtures, the second round of games (round of 32) will be held on 17th – 18th April 2021. The draw will be held on 18th February 2021.
