It is derby weekend on Kenya cup match day 3, with the Universities derby between Strathmore and Machine lined up for Friday night. Saturday afternoon will see the latest installation of the biggest derby in recent years, the Ngong road derby, between the Kenya Harlequins and Impala.
Apart from those two stand out fixtures, there will be the battle of the newly promoted side as Kabras take on the Monks at the Kakamega Show grounds. Homeboyz will be taking on Western Bulls at the RFUEA, in a match that could be termed as the ‘mini Western derby’ as the Djs draw majority of their players from the region.
Strathmore vs Machine – 7pm, Impala Club.
There is rarely a dull moment when these two campus rivals meet. What with the Leos now holding a firm grip on a title that once belonged to Machine, that of top side in the Varsities.
The Leos have had the upper hand in this fixture over the past three to four years, beating Machine 27-3 in 2012 following this up with a 33-3 result last season. Despite those results, those matches were real spectacles.
The Eschuma have been on a steady slipping slope, mainly because of their high player turn around every season. With that in mind, they have done really well to stay afloat this far, and they always turn up when facing the Leos, especially this time with the match in their favourite conditions, under floodlights.
The Leos come into this one off a battling 35-15 result against the other campus side in the league, Blak Blad. In that one, they found themselves trailing 15-14 at the half time break before turning on the style to score 21 unanswered points on their way to claiming that result.
Head coach Mitch Ocholla has left nothing to chance in his squad selection, the likes of Billy Odhiambo, and Tony Owuor getting starting berths. It looks like Machine are going to have a torrid time, with Samuel Motari partnering Billy the kid in the centre of the park.
Adrian Opondo, Brian Nyikuli and Tony Owuor will form a potent back row pairing, Humphrey Owuor, Mike Wanjala and Ginton Adongo forming the back three.
Machine will be looking to put up a performance against the Leos, last weekend they did stand up to Quins before capitulating in the last 10 minutes for a 33-5 final score. Stanley Lunani and Daniel Mubea will have to guide the side against a very potent foe. The boot of Kelvin Njugi will have to be at it’s best if they are to get anything from this one.
Kenya Harlequins vs Impala – 4pm, RFUEA.
The latest installation of the Ngong road derby is set to be one of the most exciting in recent times, with no clear favourite in sight. Impala have been on the wrong end of the score line in this fixture over the last couple of years, this is one of their best chances to claim one over their cross fence neighbours.
While Quins have been on a decline of sorts in the last two years, they have not lost this fixture in quite a while. 22-19 in the 2012/13 season, then a more convincing 27-12 result last season.
As is the case in all derbies, form counts for very little, Quins will know that, they are yet to lose in this campaign. With Impala on either side of high scoring encounters this season, a 40-29 loss to Mwamba and a 45-7 win over Homeboyz.
The battle of the half backs is bound to be one of the highlights in this one, a possible combination of Lyle Asiligwa and Isaac Adimo for Quins. With Micahel Mugo set to partner Nato Simiyu for Impala. The Impala backs were in great form against the Djs, they will however be against a more compact outfit here.
The experienced centre pairing of Patrice Agunda and Dennis Muhanji will be up against a young and hard working pairing of Anthony Nyandigisi and Jeffrey Anampiu. Sammy Oliech was explosive everytime he joined the attack from full back, his possible opposite number Kevin Keagan packs a different set of skills, preferring the slick approach.
Impala should have a slight upper hand in the forwards, the red shirts set to have a more experienced 8 compared to the rebuilding Quins pack. With both sides playing a almost similar style of play expect most of the action to be in the backs.
Mwamba vs Nondies – 4pm, Impala Club.
In the other matches, Mwamba will be looking to get back to winning ways after that last minute heart break in Kakamega when they face Nondies at the Impala club. The black shirts welcome maestro Lavin Asego who starts from the bench. The rest of the squad largely remains unchanged from that 16-15 result.
Collins Injera and Dan Sikuta are set to be the main figures in the Kulabu forwards with Brad Owako and Horace Otieno the go to guys in the backs. Nondies come into this one off a 56-11 mauling of the Monks, they will be looking to build on that momentum here.
Joseph Kangethe starts at tight head with James on the bench for the white shirts. They welcome back Ronnie ‘Nanda’ Mwenesi to partner Joseph Wachira at lock. Alex Mutune makes his long awaited comeback at fly half. Simon Ngugi, Eric Okoma and the ever green Ben Nyambu retaining their back row slots.
Homeboyz vs Western Bulls – 2pm, RFUEA.
The in form Echulusi will be looking for their third win on the trot after claiming narrow 19-17 and 16-15 wins against Nondies and Mwamba respectively. They will be hoping that this one will be a bit more straight forward.
The Djs have blown hot and cold so far this season, opening the campaign with a 71-3 result against Machine, then following this up with a 45-7 loss at the hands of Impala. They will be looking to quickly bounce back with a win here.
As mentioned earlier, this is set to be a mini western derby with familiar faces across the park, Bush Mwale the most recent one to make the switch from the Bulls to Homeboyz. Mwale starts at number 14 for Homeboyz in a largely unchanged back line.
The Djs backline looked disjointed against Impala, and will be looking to redeem themselves here. If the likes of Oscar Ayodi, Max Kangeri, Leonard Mugaisi and Alvin Otieno fire on all cylinders and remain on the same page, the Bulls will have a long outing here.Kelvin Masai replaces Mike Wanjala at scrum half, to partner Haroun Lubisia.
Davis Chenge returns to the starting line up for the Echulusi, he partners Elkins Musonye and Brain Bango in the back row. The trio will be vital in the Bulls charge, with Cyrus Kuya and Eliab Baraza at the centre of the park against Ayodi and Kangeri.
The forward battle is expected to be a brutal affair, with both sides boasting of a very mobile pack. Emmanuel Mavala, Humphrey Mulama and Felix Ojow will be vital for the Djs going forward. With Bulls captain Mike Ligono alongside William Ong’are marshalling the Echulusi.
Other matches will see KCB take on their Thika road neighbours Blak Blad. This encounter has proved to be a not so straight forward affair, as the last two seasons have shown. The Lions have finally secured the services of former Blad captain Rocky Aguko, who starts from the bench, they also welcome back Max Adaka.
Kabras and Catholic battle for their first win in the top flight, as Mombasa travel to Nakuru to face the defending champions.
Predictions :
Strathmore +20 over Machine.
Kabras +40 over Catholic.
Nakuru +60 over Mombasa.
Impala +5 over Quins.
Homeboyz +3 over Bulls.
Mwamba +10 over Nondies.
KCB +30 over Blakblad.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
