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Tusker, Kenya Police to fight for continental ticket in FKF Cup final
Kenya Police FC players celebrate their win against Bandari FC on post-match penalties in their semi final match of the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on May 16, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Four-time domestic cup champions Tusker punched their tickets to the final after edging-out KCB 4-3 in post-match penalties.
- In the other semi final, Kenya Police defeated Bandari 5-3, also in post-match penalties, following a barren draw in regular time.
Tusker will play Kenya Police for a chance to represent Kenya in next season’s Caf Confederation Cup after both teams booked a ticket to the final of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup on Saturday.
Four-time domestic cup champions Tusker punched their tickets to the final after edging-out KCB 4-3 in post-match penalties following a barren draw in regular time in first semi-final match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
Later, in the second semi-final at the same venue, 2024 champions Kenya Police defeated Bandari 5-3, also in post-match penalties, following a barren draw in regular time.
Amza Ndiayou (left) of Bandari FC vies for the ball with Abud Omar of Kenya Police during their semi final match of the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on May 16, 2026.
In addition to clinching the sole berth to represent Kenya at next season’s Caf Confederation Cup, the FKF Cup winner will also pocket Sh3 million. The second and third placed teams will receive Sh2 million and Sh1.5 million respectively.
FKF Cup is known as Mozzart Bet Cup for sponsorship reasons.
Congolese goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila was the hero for Tusker after he saved KCB’s last spot-kick which was taken by forward David Sakwa.
Veteran midfielder Humphrey Mieno was the other KCB’s player who missed his penalty while Siraj Mohammed, Kevin Etemesi and Clyde Senaji were on target.
Tusker scored their penalties through Ian Simiyu, Chrispin Erambo, Joshua Ibrahim and Fabian Adikiny. Dennis Iguma missed his penalty.
Tusker's main target
Tusker are seeking to reclaim the title which they last won in in 2016. The brewers were the winners in 1975, 1989 and in 1993.
Lifting this year’s FKF Cup is the main target for Tusker FC coach Julien Mette.
When the Frenchman was hired in February 2026, he conceded that winning the FKF Premier League title was beyond his team due to the huge gap between the brewers and leaders Gor Mahia.
At the time, Gor Mahia topped the table with 46 points while Tusker were placed 10th with 28 points.
For KCB, their elimination from the competition on post-match penalties means their long wait for a second FKF Cup title continues after their maiden victory in 2004 when they defeated Thika United 1-0 in the final.
Brian Otieno (left) of Kenya Police tussles for the ball with Erickson Mulu of Bandari FC during their semi final match of the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on May 16, 2026.
The closest the bankers have come to clinching their second title in the competition was in 2024 when they lost 8-7 in the final to Kenya Police in post-match penalties.
Just like the first semi-finals, the second match between Police and Bandari was a close contest. Before the penalty shoot-out, Bandari introduced their second-choice goalkeeper Joseph Ochuko in place of Alain Ngeleka but that plan failed to materialize.
Police are chasing for their second FKF Cup title after the 2014 victory while Bandari lifted the title in 2015 and 2019.
Holders Nairobi United were eliminated in the quarter-finals following a 1-0 loss to KCB.
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