MozzartBet Cup: Will minnows stun the 'Big Dogs' like in the past?

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League takes a break this weekend to usher in the MozzartBet Cup 2025 Round of 64 fixtures played all over the country.

On 17 February, MozzartBet, the official sponsors of the tournament conducted the draw for the competition in Nairobi, a draw that presented relatively easy matchups for FKF Premier League teams, as they have been paired against lower-tier and non-league opposition.

MozzartBet Cup is is the top knockout tournament in Kenyan football and is the Kenyan equivalent to the FA Cup. It was started in the 1950s. This tournament gives opportunities to local teams especially those in lower divisions to take on the FKFPL and NSL sides while also acting as an exposure medium to talented players to get noticed by the bigger clubs.

The winner of the Cup receives a direct ticket to represent Kenya in Africa’s second-tier competition, CAF Confederation’s Cup. The winner will also be awarded a trophy and a Sh2 million cash prize.

In 2024, Kenya Police won the title for the first time, edging out KCB 8-7 in a dramatic post match penalties shootout after a barren draw in regular time.

MozzartBet Cup is known shocking upsets where minnows triumph over the big dogs. For example, Compel FC, Denmark FC, and Bungoma Stars were the underdogs that caused upsets in the competition last season. However, none reached the final four.

Compel, a FKF Division One Zone ‘B’ Western region and based in Webuye, Bungoma County, reached the quarter finals after upsetting the then National Super League leaders Mara Sugar 2-0 in the R16 and beating Kajiado FC by a similar margin in the round of 32.

However, Compel’s dream to qualify for the the continental showpiece by clinching the FKF Cup title were extinguished after they lost 3-1 to record cup champions AFC Leopards.

Bungoma Stars, a Bungoma-based FKF Division Two Zone ‘A’ side, bowed out of the competition after they lost to three-times champions Sofapaka 5-4 in post match penalties. Bungoma Stars on their journey to the last 16 had defeated FKF side Bandari 2-1 in the preliminary round and FC Talanta 1-0 in round of 32.

On the other hand, Denmark FC takes part in the Coast Regional League Zone ‘B’. The Kwale based side upset 11-times champions Gor Mahia 5-4 in post match penalties after a barren draw in the round of 32. They however went on to lose in a similar manner to SS Assad FC also from Kwale in the round of 16 after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Defending champions Kenya Police will travel to Naivasha to face Superior Hotel FC while 2023 champions Kakamega Homeboyz will visit Kisumu’s TBM Health FC. Record champions of the FKF Cup AFC Leopards will play Dero Fc from Siaya, a team they hammered 15-1 the last time they met, while record FKF Premier League winners Gor Mahia will take on KSG Ogopa

As FKF sides will be eager to progress deep into the competition, the lower-tier teams will be looking to cause upsets just like in the last edition.

Round of 64 Full Fixtures