This weekend will see two teams move closer to securing Kenya Cup qualification with the start of the National play offs in the Nationwide league.
Eight sides will be battling for those two spots in the top flight, the Nairobi, Western and Rift valley conferences provide two teams each with one from the Coast and Central.
Catholic University and TUK represent the capital, University of Eldoret and Egerton from the Rift, Kabras and Kakanega from Western, Masaku from the Coast and Thika from Central.
The Monks from Catholic University finished in top spot in the Nairobi conference and will host University of Eldoret who finished second in Rift valley. The Monks got through their 12 week conference with only one loss, they will be upbeat going into this one, against a UoE side that finished second losing to Egerton in their regional play offs.
Kakamega, runners up in the Western region host Masaku who came out on top in the Coast region. Kakamega will be looking to go all the way and qualify for the top flight having played in the ESS last season.
Masaku who will be completing their second season, won the Coast region against another new kid on the block the Stormers. Masaku will be a handful for their hosts and will be looking to cause an upset here.
The Rift valley conference winners Egerton will be playing host to the Nairobi region runners up, TUK. The Technical University of Kenya gained this slot after the disqualification of USIU after the latter fielded an illegible player. TUK will see this as a second chance, one that they will not want to waste.
Egerton are no strangers to winning, the Rift valley conference winners were here before losing out to Eldoret in the final last season. The Wasps will be among the favourites to go all the way this time round. They however have to get past a tricky TUK side.
The league’s surprise package, Kabras will host the Central region winners Thika RFC at the Kakamega Show grounds. Kabras have been in hot form and are yet to lose a game in their debut season. The sugar millers will be wary of this Millars side that is coached by legends Dennis Mwanja and Peter Mutai.
The hosts will however still be the firm favourites not only in this one but to go all the way and claim one of the two spots in the top flight next season.
Collated Fixtures.
Catholic University vs University Of Eldoret (3pm – Catholic Uni, Rongai)
Kakamega vs Masaku (2pm – Kakamega Show grounds)
Egerton vs TUK (3pm – Egerton)
Kabras vs Thika (4pm – Kakamega Show Ground)
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!