After a week’s hiatus, normal proceedings resume in the Kenya cup, with match day 4 lined up for this weekend.
Defending champions Nakuru will be in Ruiru to face Blakblad, with KCB playing Machine at the Impala Club, both sides looking to stretch their unbeaten runs. The highlight of the weekend though, will be the two matches to be played under floodlights at the Jamuhuri grounds and Impala club respectively.
Nondies vs Homeboyz – 8:00 pm, Jamuhuri Grounds.
The Red Lion will host it’s first Friday night match, Nondies hosting Homeboyz. The two sides have had a see saw start to the season, with the Djs losing one of the three fixtures played so far,their hosts losing twice and winning once.
Last time these two met at the same venue, it was one way traffic as Nondies ran in 49 points to 12 for the Homeboyz. The white shirts will be out to replicate that form and make up valuable ground on the log. Currently, Homeboyz are in 7th spot on 9 points with Nondies in 10th having picked up 6 points so far.
Nondies come into this match off a 43-13 loss to Mwamba, with the DJs looking for back to back wins after they beat Western Bulls 25-17. The white shirts will be banking on their forwards to lead them to a win here, Charles Kanyi will probably start the Kangethe twins together, Ronnie Mwenesi and Joseph Wachira will also be vital for the side.
The Djs will be without influential quartet of Oscar Ayodi, Bush Mwale, Leonard Mugais and Michael Wanjala for this one, the four will be turning up for the national sevens side in Dubai. Paul Murunga however has an array of young talent to chose from. It will be in the forwards where his side will be tested, the likes of Emmanuel Mavala, Felix Ojow and Humphrey Mulama need to be at their best.
While Nondies are expected to apply a more direct route to their play, to capitalise on their advantage in the forwards. Homeboyz will be looking to run their opposite numbers off the turf, they are however set to see very little of the ball, thus need to be very efficient on the day.
Impala vs Strathmore – 7pm, Impala Club.
The other encounter under floodlights is set to be another cracker as Impala host the Strathmore Leos. A fixture that has seen many memorable encounters over the recent past, mainly owing to the fact that the two sides have traded quite a number of players between them.
The Leos remain unbeaten this far, and will be looking to leave the Impala club with that record intact. Impala lost in their opening fixture, before bouncing back to claim back to back wins. Strathmore are currently perched at the top of the log with a perfect 15 points, Impala four points and places behind in fifth spot on 11 points.
Both sides come into this one off derby wins, Strathmore beating fMachine 46-0, with Impala claiming a famous 33-22 victory against arch rivals Quins. Last time these two met, the Leos were 33-10 winners.
Strathmore will be looking to kick off their 8 Million sponsorship deal with Pan Africa Asset Management, on a winning note. In their way will be a formidable Impala side that will be high on morale, looking to build on that derby win.
It is bound to be a real cracker looking at the individual battles across the pitch, Nato Simiyu who has been in inspiring form for Impala so far up against Kenny Andola. Humphrey Owuor at full back for the Leos set to square it out with either Ian Minjire or Sammy Oliech.
If picked, Billy Odhiambo will pair up with Samuel Motari at centre for the Leos to come up against Lamech Dunde and Anthony Nyandigisi. At the forwards former Impala boys Malik Ndemi and Brian Nyikuli will lead their side against familiar faces in Duncan Ekasi and Paul Oimbo.
The back row battle is also set to be a titanic one with Ekasi possibly linking up with Joel Omer, or Robert Odhiambo. Up against Adrian Opondo, Tony Owuor and Nyikuli.
An evenly matched encounter across the park on paper, and with the two sides employing an almost similar style of play, the action is set to be nail biting. Expect a free flowing display with both sides packing a formidable set of backs and forwards who like to play in the spaces.
Other matches will see Kabras travel to Mombasa looking for their second win of the season. Mwamba will play Catholic in the first match of the double header at K.U, as Quins travel to Kakamega to face the Western Bulls in what promises to be another exciting encounter.
The last time the quartered shirts were in Kakamega, they left with a 34-27 win. The Bulls have made an impressive start to this season, beating Nondies and Mwamba in their opening fixtures before falling to the Homeboyz on match day 3.
Match Day 4 Fixtures :
Nondies vs Homeboyz – 7 pm, Jamuhuri Grounds.
Mombasa vs Kabras – 4 pm, MSC.
Western Bulls vs Quins- 4 pm, Kakamega High School.
Mwamba vs Catholic – 2 pm, KU.
Blakblad vs Nakuru – 4 pm, KU.
Impala vs Strathmore – 7 pm, Impala Club.
Machine vs KCB – 4 pm, Impala Club.
We have decided to spice up the prediction segment, coming at you shortly..watch this space, or that one, or the other one…either way watch out!
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
