Kenyan Premier League side Bandari FC faces a monumental task after being paired with Tanzanian champions Yanga SC in the group stage of the 2023 Mapinduzi Cup.

This year’s edition of the annual Mapinduzi Cup kicks off on Thursday, December 28, 2023, in Zanzibar. Bandari and Yanga have been placed in Group C alongside Vital’O of Burundi and Zanzibarian side KVZ.

According to Bandari FC vice chairman Twaha Mbarak, the Mombasa-based outfit has all it takes to bring the trophy to Kenya. In his words, Bandari will show the region what Kenya is made of.

“I want to assure the nation that our touring team is thoroughly prepared to take on the formidable regional opponents. I call upon all football enthusiasts in the country to lend us their full support. We are committed to making the nation proud,” he exuded confidence.

This year’s edition of the Mapinduzi Cup will be part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution. Mlandege FC are the defending champions.

In a statement, the competition’s organizing committee said this year’s edition will be the biggest ever based on the calibre of the teams that have been invited to take part in the competition.

“We expect to have the very best of matches this season because we have added the number of teams and also invited competitive teams from outside the country,” said Suleiman Mahmoud Jabir, the committee’s vice-chairperson.

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Group A:  Azam FC (Tanzania), Chipukizi (Zanzibar), Mlandege (Zanzibar) and URA (Uganda).

Group B: Simba SC (Tanzania), Singida Fountain Gate (Tanzania), Jamhuri (Zanzibar), and APR (Rwanda).

Group C: Yanga SC (Tanzania), KVZ (Zanzibar), Bandari (Kenya) and Vital’O (Burundi).