Kotoko expected in Nairobi On Monday

Tusker's team for next week's Tusker Cup will be named on Friday, coach Dino Kitavi said yesterday.

"We still have a few days to go before our first match and we want to take another look at the players we have and see who we will use," said Kitavi yesterday.

The other three teams coming for the tournament – Supersport United of South Africa, Asante Kotoko (Ghana), and Simba (Tanzania) – have already named their sides.

Kotoko, Supersport and Simba are expected in Nairobi next Monday and Tuesday.

Some of Supersport United players were on international duty with Bafana Bafana playing in the Concacaf Gold Cup in the US where the South Africans were knocked out by Panama at the quarter-final stage of the tournament on post-match penalties on Sunday.

Tusker's bid for a third Kenya Football Federation (KFF) Premier League title was thwarted last weekend by Ulinzi who beat them on post-match penalties at Kasarani.

At the same time, tickets for the Tusker Cup will go on sale this week, event organisers said yesterday.

Fans will play Sh300 for the middle stands and Sh100 for the upper and lower terraces.

Those wishing to purchase advance tickets will be able to get them at selected Shell outlets. Ticket sales are expected to start this week once the Shell outlets have been identified.

Fans will also be able to buy tickets at the venue (Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani) on match days.

According to the organisers, there will be tight security for the fans and their vehicles. "Ample security has been provided for within and outside the stadium.

"There will be stewards to direct fans to designated entry and exit areas, amenities (toilets), and parking areas and to help desks," organisers said yesterday.

The stewards will be assisted by the Kenya Police and hired security firms to guarantee fan safety," said a press statement from the organisers.

The opening two matches of the tournament will be played next Wednesday.

The first match will kick off at 1.30 pm and the other at 4 pm. The final will be played on Saturday at 4 pm. It will be preceded at 1.30 pm by the third place play-off between Wednesday's losers. Gates will be open early to facilitate smooth flow of fans into the stadium and avoid congestion at the gates.

On Wednesday, gates will open at 10.00 am and 8 am on Saturday. This is the first time that such a tournament is being staged here and it is expected to pull in the crowds.