When the clock strikes 4:00 pm on Saturday 17th May 2014, the Kenya rugby fraternity will collectively hold it’s breath as the top two sides in the region battle for the most prestigious trophy in the land, the Kenya Cup.
After 14 weeks of league and play off action, that has spanned over seven months, we finally have two. The defending champions Top Fry Nakuru RFC and their challengers, KCB RFC have 80 minutes or more between them and the 2013/14 Kenya Cup title.
These two have battled twelve other sides to book this date, it was the final that most had predicted, and indeed longed for especially after the show the two put up in the Enterprise Cup final.
While the Wanyore chattered a more steady path to this final, not falling off the top two places in the league phase, to eventually finish on top of the 14 team league on 59 points off 12 wins and one loss.
The Lion’s path was a bit more bumpy, starting off on a slow note and at one time falling off the top four before regrouping to finish in third tied on 53 points with second placed Quins, off 11 wins and two losses.
That first place finish earned the defending champions a home semi final against fourth placed Strathmore. Winning 30-16 in that one to give themselves a shot at defending the title they won for the first time last year.
The Lions had to make the short trip to the RFUEA to face Quins in the semi finals, winning here 24-8 to see them return to the home of Kenya rugby, for a chance to lift a trophy they last won in 2007.
When they both turn up, these two have been involved in some heart stopping encounters, their most recent one at the same venue for the Enterprise Cup comes to mind. The Lions though have come out at the wrong end of the score line in five of the last six meetings.
Their best result against the Wanyore in the past two seasons was in the 2011/12 Kenya cup season at the Lion’s den where the sides shared the spoils in a 15 all draw. Since then the Lions have lost, 20-17, 21-7, 21-9, 26-10 and 18-13. Three of those results coming in the Kenya Cup with the rest in the Enterprise Cup.
Looking at those results, you will agree that the defending champions will be the favourites here. From the last time these two met, Nakuru welcome back Mike Okombe, Oscar Ouma and Martin Owilla in the possible changes to the squad.
The Lions on their part will see a possible six changes to the side that lost 18-15 with Curtis Lilako, Moses Amusala, Oliver Mang’eni, Max Adaka, Fabian Olando and Darwin Mukidza all gunning for a starting spot on the team.
In that Enterprise cup Final the Lions were battered at scrum time, and were fortunate to have conceded 18 points on the day. Their line outs were all over the place, if they are to win their first Kenya cup in seven years, these areas must be water tight on the day.
The Lion’s backs were the pick of the side in that final, despite the non existent platform they took the game to their opposite numbers. If they do get better services from their forwards on Saturday there’s little they can’t do.
It is no secret that the Wanyore will look to keep the ball at the forwards, with their second and back rows running relentlessly at the KCB central pairing. The Lions will have to look for a way to keep a lid on the likes of Edwins Makori, Martin Owilla, Mike Okombe, Philip Kwame and Oscar Ouma.
The individual battles across the park will be of epic proportions, Jiles Littlewood will come up against Moses Amusala with Curtis Lilako most probably facing Isaiah Nyariki in the front row, Peter Karia meeting Sammy Warui.
Oliver Mang’eni will probably be paired with Brian Sagara against Martin Owilla and Philip Kwame. In the Back row, Max Adaka is set to face off against Oscar Ouma. The veterans Peter Mutai and Gibson Weru will most likely face each other at scrum half with the diminutive pair of Martin Muita and Essau Otieno facing off at fly half.
Ken Moseti and Fabian Olando will come up against Kelvin Omiyo and Edward Okwema in the centre of the park. The trio of Allan Omuka, Jacob Ojee and Darwin Mukidza will be up against Javan Murayi, Calvin Otieno and Godfrey Mbeya.
With the Lions’ trio of Anthony Ogot, Dennis Mwanja and Peter Mutai in the sunset of their careers, they’ll be looking for one final hooray here against a side they know all too well. The three alongside Brian Omondi and Philip Wamae are the only surviving members from that 2007 triumph, they must be itching to avenge that last minute defeat and get their hands on the Kenya Cup one more time, as indeed will the rest of the squad.
This will be largely the same side that annihilated the Leos under the Kasarani flood lights a liitle over a year ago, and if given the chance they will more than oblige and hand the Lions the same treatment on their way to their first double.
Whichever way you look at it, this will be a titanic battle and a fitting end to what has been a great Kenya Cup season. You have no excuse for missing this epic showdown, tickets will be going for 300 shillings at the gate, both finals will be aired live on Zuku sports channel 300.
You can also win tickets on our social media pages here and here…
Predictions : Nakuru by 7 or less over KCB.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
