Bandari FC to compete in Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar

FKF Premier League side Bandari FC is among the teams invited to take part in the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup 2023 which will kick off from December 28 to January 13 in the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The two-week competition will see the Dockers take on top teams from Zanzibar, Tanzania, and other countries in what the club finds as an opportunity to raise their level of performance in international competitions.

Bandari FC which is the only Kenyan club invited for the tournament will be vying for the title against the likes of Azam FC, Mlandege FC, Singida Fountain Gate, Yanga SC, Jamhuri FC, and Chipukizi FC among others.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Bandari FC technical director Ricky Solomon was grateful to the Zanzibar Football Federation for the invaluable opportunity, noting that they were looking to bring their A-game on board.

The Mapinduzi Cup is organized by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) to commemorate Zanzibar’s Revolution Day which is marked annually.

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"I want to thank the Zanzibar Football Federation for the invitation. It is a privilege and honor to participate, not to mention that we are the only team from Kenya," Solomon told Mozzart Sport.

Azam FC has won the Mapinduzi Cup a record five times, while Simba has lifted it three times, Mtibwa Sugar and Young Africans SC twice. Zanzibar’s Jamhuri, KMKM SC, Zanzibar Police, Mafunzo FC, Miembeni FC, and Malindi Sc each lifted the title once while Uganda’s sides KCCA FC and URA FC have also lifted the trophy once.

Reigning champions Simba will be looking to defend the title they won last edition.

Teams confirmed for Mapinduzi Cup: Mlandege FC (Zanzibar), Singida Fountain Gate (Tanzania), Vital'O FC (Burundi), Simba SC (Tanzania), Yanga SC (Tanzania), APR FC (Tanzania), Azam FC (Tanzania), URA FC (Uganda), Bandari FC (Kenya), KVZ FC (Zanzibar), Chipukizi FC (Zanzibar), Jamhuri SC (Zanzibar).