Kenya's champions Sofapaka play Tusker FC today in the first Tusker Challenge Cup semi-final tie at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Unbeaten in their two-match outings, Sofapaka have endeared themselves to local fans with speedy and tactical football.

Sofapaka, who won Kenyan Premier League promotion last year, would be hard pressed to extend their supremacy in the Tusker Challenge Cup.

Sofapaka got off their campaigns with a thumping 3-1 victory over holders Mtibwa Sugar before forcing favourite Simba to a barren draw.

Their head coach Robert Matano bragged that they were in buoyant moods heading into the semi-final duel.

"We've set our sights on clinching the title, thus nothing will prevent us from attaining our mission," Matano said.

The coach showered praise on his players for setting up a glittering record in their domestic league and expected them to replicate the same brilliance in the tournament.

"We've played Simba, but they don't look like a giant team, I promise if we meet them in the final, we'll reduce them to novices,"he boasted.

Matano said he would use the 4-4-2 formation in the remaining matches of the tournament.

Wary Tusker striker Oscar Kadenge said it would be a "very" tough game and anyone stands a chance to go through.

"They have been playing some sublime football lately, so we respect them, but this doesn't mean they'll beat us," he said.

"I can't predict who will reach the final because the game is going to be tough, let's wait and see," Kadenge said.

Today's winner will lock horns with either Simba or Young Africans who play at the 60,000-seater National Stadium tomorrow.

Young Africans look set to revenge their Vodacom Premier League defeat to Simba after getting their Tusker Cup campaign to a flier.

Contrary to their previous encounters, this time around both sides have opted to camp in Dar es Salaam.

Before the city derby, the two teams usually camp in Zanzibar believing that it a tranquil place for training.