Nairobi News

The fairy tale continues for Division One side Finlays Horticulture, the little known club from Naivasha when they take to the field on Sunday against Premier league side Sofapaka in the quarter finals of the GOtv Shield Cup.

It is the only lower league side left in the competition that also involves defending champions, Gor Mahia, AFC leopards, Chemilil Sugar, Karuturi Sports and Western Stima.

Finlays have already knocked out Premier league outfits KCB and Bandari to underline their credentials as no pushovers and will be out to continue with their giant killing acts when they face Batoto ba Mungu at the City Stadium in Nairobi.

They beat coastal side Bandari 4-3 at home on penalties in the third round and had earlier dispatched KCB 2-0 in the round of 32, despite playing most of the match with 10 men.

Finlays go into the game bursting with confidence of continuing their run in the knock out competition and will most likely give Sofapaka a run for their money.

“Underrate us at you own peril,” said Finlays coach Sammy Okoth, a former Kenya international and a one-time golden boot winner. “We are not giant killers, we want to be the giants,” he added.

Underdogs

Finlays seek to emulate Mathare United and Sofapaka, the only clubs that have won the domestic cup while still in the lower division.

With the rest of the teams better experienced by virtue of their stay in the top tier, Finlays are the underdogs.

However, captain Patrick Nzengo said they are out to pull a surprise. They will look to top striker Dennis Kalama for inspiration.

“Let the other teams know we respect but do not fear them,” said Nzengo.

“There is respect for Sofapaka because of their achievements and the calibre of players in their squad, but we will not offer them too much space to cause us problems, he added.

With Finlays’ record in the tourney so far, an upset isn’t far off the cards for the club.

Finlays is also chasing promotion to the Tusker Premier League and is on course to clinch a playoff spot.