AFC coach Tom Olaba: I was shocked to learn of our omission from Charity Cup

Jan 25, 2013 5:38:00 PM

The tournament's organizers picked on four clubs - Gor Mahia, Western Stima, Mathare United and Sofapaka - at the expense of Ingwe

AFC Leopards stand in coach Tom Olaba says he will have to reschedule his pre season program after his side missed out on the inaugural Kenya Power Charity Peace Cup tournament.

According to tournament organizers, the final quartet of competing clubs was decided after a month long online voting system involving the various team supporters, with the eventual top four sides Gor Mahia, Western Stima, Mathare United and Sofapaka making the cut at the expense of Ingwe.

This development according to Olaba has come as a surprise. “To be honest with you, I had assumed we will feature in this tournament and most of our training in the past week was geared towards the new season and the Charity Cup. Now we will have to plan one or two build up games to compensate for that,” Olaba told Goal.com.

“This has however, not affected our pre season preparations and we will be ready to mount a formidable title challenge. I have not changed the squad much because I believe in continuity and consistency.”

The tournament slated for February 2 at Moi Kasarani will observe Gor Mahia take on Mathare United in the first semi-final at 9am while Western Stima will confront Sofapaka in the second semi at 11 am. The final will be played at 4pm.

The winning team will carry home Sh840, 000 ($10,000) and a trophy, runners-up Sh480, 000 ($6,000) while the third and fourth placed teams will each pocket Sh164, 000 ($2,000). VIP tickets will sale for Sh1, 000 with those for terrace going for Sh200.

Electronic tickets for the one day tournament will go on sale starting Friday night. In total, 22 teams were considered for the Charity Cup; the 16 that took part in the 2012 Kenyan Premier League and the best three teams from Division one – the best three from Zone A and Zone B.