The Kenya Cup and ESS leagues enter their penultimate round this weekend with the battles on either side of the logs all but decided.
The only unresolved battle seems to be the one between Mwamba II and Western Bulls II for the final playoff spot in the ESS. Mwamba II hold a three point advantage over the Calves going into this game week.
Mwamba II face league leaders Nakuru II with the Calves taking on the Impala boks. Mwamba II will then most probably get the 24-0 result against Mombasa II with the Calves taking on Homeboyz II in the last round.
Other than that, the only other things that might change in the two leagues is who finishes in second and third. Eldoret and Kisumu will definitely play in the Nationwide next season, coincidentally their second teams also hold the last two slots in the ESS.
Despite the seemingly dead rubber feel to these final weeks, there will be some mouth watering encounters and with teams jostling for better postings, it promises to be a lively end to what has been an entertaining league phase.
Strathmore, KCB and Nondies will benefit from walk over results as their game week opponents will not honour their fixtures. The three sides together with their ESS sides now add five points to their tallies and await the last league round.
With those five points, Strathmore cement fourth spot and a trip to the NAC on 10th May in the play offs. KCB will be hoping that Blad deny Quins the bonus point so that they reclaim second spot with Nondies now in seventh, awaiting the Mwamba vs Nakuru result.
Quins vs Blakblad (4pm, RFUEA)
Second placed Quins are on course for a home semi final on 10th May, a finish not many had predicted. The quartered shirts host 11th placed Blad in a fixture that they will be looking for a maximum 5 points and secure second spot.
Blad have been a tough customer this season, even though they haven’t won too many games they have managed to ruffle the big boys even in defeat, they will be looking to do the same here. The last time these two met in the league, Quins were 27-3 winners.
It is now almost a fact that the Arturos will not be defending their ESS title as they lie in sixth place on 30 points, 6 behind fourth spot. Though they still stand a mathematical chance, it’s by a long shot and will heavily depend on the two sides above them.
Blad II in 9th will fancy their chances against this Arturos side that has lost 6 of their 11 matches. The last time these two met in the league the hosts were 27-0 victors.
Homeboyz vs Machine (4pm, Madaraka Sports Complex)
Fifth placed Homeboyz saw their mathematical chance of making the playoffs fizzle out with Mombasa handing Strathmore the walk over. Homeboyz will now be playing to keep hold of 5th spot with the Bulls only three points behind them.
The Djs have been in great form scoring 250 points in their last three matches, more than anyone else in the division during the same period. They will be looking to keep that scoring form when they face a tricky Machine side.
The Eschuma are pegged in 10th place and have only won one of their last three matches. They will be looking to turn that tide against this Homeboyz side. The last time the two met, The Djs were 19-8 winners.
Homeboyz II and Machine II will be playing out for pride and a better posting in the ESS. Homeboyz II are in 10th on 10 points, with the Ninjas on 7 points in 12th. The last these two met, Homeboyz II were 26-17 winners.
Impala vs W.Bulls (4pm, Impala Club)
The Resolution Health Impala Saracens will be hosting the Western Bulls at the Impala Club for their last home fixture. Impala have had a season to forget and look poised to finish in 9th a position they currently hold on 22 points.
This Western Bulls side has impressed and surprised many this season, the Echulusi are in 6th spot on the log and based on form, they come into this match as firm favourites for the win.
It promises to be a great match, with both sides look to make a strong finish to their contrasting season. The last time these two met in the league, the Bulls were 21-14 winners at the same venue.
Western Bulls II who are going for a play off spot will have all to play for when they take on Impala II in the ESS. As mentioned earlier, the calves are three points off fourth placed Mwamba II who face leaders Nakuru II.
Impala II are in eighth spot on 24 points and will be no push over for the Bulls.
Mwamba vs Nakuru (4pm, UoN)
This week’s top bill encounter in my book will see league leaders Top Fry Nakuru take on Mwamba who are in 7th spot.
On paper it looks like a dead rubber match that Nakuru will pick maximum points from, but in reality there’s never a dull moment when these two sides meet.
Last season Mwamba were the only side to pick up points from the dreaded Suguta valley, indeed that record trickles over to this season. They now welcome Nakuru to the capital and will looking to become the first side to beat the defending champions this season.
Nakuru have been peerless this season, holding an eleven point advantage at the top of the league having only dropped two points from a possible 55, after 11 outings. They will be looking to finally get one over a Kulabu side that battled to a draw the last time they met.
Mwamba have had a start stop run in this campaign, failing to hit the heights they did last season where they made it all the way to the play offs. They will be looking to make a strong finish to this campaign and nothing says strong like a win against Nakuru.
With the possibility of the sevens contingent being available for selection Kulabu’s chances of picking up a win here will receive a major boost. The black shirts will be tasked with keeping a lid on the rampant Nakuru forwards then unleashing their explosive backs in this encounter.
Nakuru II are almost matching the senior side’s exploits in the ESS, perched at the top of the standings on 52 points, though not as comfortably as the Kenya Cup side. Nakuru II hold a three point advantage over second and third placed KCB II and Strathmore II.
They come up against Mwamba II who are in a battle for the last playoff spot and will play their socks off to secure that berth. The last time the two met, Mwamba II were 13-7 winners at the NAC. This one will be the perfect curtain raiser for what promises to be a titanic clash.
Onto the predictions:
Strathmore 24-0 Mombasa
KCB 24-0 Eldoret
Nondies 24-0 Kisumu
Quins +20 over Blad
Homeboyz +20 over Machine
Bulls +10 over Impala
Mwamba +5 over Nakuru.
A happy valentine to all those who celebrate the day and an even happier one to those who suffer through it..
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!