Match Day 5 in the Kenya cup sees two top bill matches played on the Republic’s 50th anniversary, in what can only be described as Super Friday at the RFUEA grounds.
Fittingly the oldest derby in the region will be the highlight of the day, as age old rivals Quins and Nondies lock horns. Before these two take on each other, there will be the not so small issue of KCB taking on Impala.
Before we have had time to recover from what is going to be a blockbuster double header, we’ll be served with an equally impressive line up at the Strathmore University. Hosts and current league leaders Leos will be taking on the Western Bulls, as Mwamba RFC scratch it out with the Homeboyz.
KCB vs Impala – 2pm, RFUEA
I have run out of adjectives to describe this encounter, these two simply don’t know what dull means when they clash. They have met thrice in the last 11 months, once in last season’s Kenya cup, once in the Enterprise cup and most recently at the Floodies.
KCB emerged top on two of those occasions, a 31-24 result after extra time in the Enterprise cup fixture, and another closely fought out, 25-19 result. Impala’s win was more straight forward, an 18-0 blanking of the Lions in last season’s Kenya cup.
Expect nothing short of a spectacle here, KCB are still unbeaten this season, and are placed third on the log with 19 points. Impala have so far had a fifty fifty campaign, winning two and losing an equal number, they are in 9th spot on 11 points. The sides come into this one off contrasting results, Impala losing 37-14 to Strathmore, with KCB running over Machine 50-15.
The Saracens will be out to get back to winning ways here, against an opponent they know far too well. Nato Simiyu will most probably return to the line up, after sitting out that defeat to the Leos. The rest of the Impala squad should remain as was, with Kola retaining scrum half duties.
The Lions will welcome back winger Allan Omuka, with Felix Wanjala and Billy Isabwa taking up the half back partnership, in the changes expected to the squad that beat Machine. As always is with these two, the battle at the forwards will be on a knife’s edge, the experience of Duncan Ekasi and Paul Oimbo will be vital for Impala, with John Ahenda, Moses Amusala set to anchor things for the Lions.
Impala’s backs will fancy their chances against the KCB back line, with the likes of Ian Minjire, Sammy Oliech and Anthony Nyandigisi in their ranks. The bankers will however be no push over with Brian Omondi, Allan Omuka and Essau Otieno forming a very dynamic partnership.
It looks like another closely fought out contest here, unless one of these sides fails to turn up. The two sides have been guilty of making slow starts in their last matches, they will know that another one of those will probably dent any hopes they have of picking up a win here.
Quins vs Nondies – 4pm, RFUEA
The latest episode of the regions oldest rivalry will kick off at tea time, with two of the oldest sides in Kenya rugby squaring it out.
The two have so far had a similar run in the opening rounds of the league, both winning two and losing two. They are currently tied on 11 points, the white shirts however holding a superior points differential that sees them sit in seventh spot, with the quartered shirts in 8th.
These two come into this fixture off contrasting results, Quins having lost to Western Bulls 15-5, Nondies on the opposite side of the spectrum, recording a 30-8 result against Homeboyz. The last time these two met, coincidentally on the same match day last season, Quins won 35-18. The quartered shirts dominating this fixture for the last few years.
Nondies will know that they have not had a better chance of getting one over their rivals, than they do now. Quins look very vulnerable, especially now, having lost back to back fixtures. That fact can however be the motivation the quartered shirts need, that they can not go three matches without a win, or worse still, lose in both derbies.
It is set to be an all out battle, like this fixture always is, but this time with Quins looking for redemption and Nondies up to kick a rival who is already down. The white shirts are expected to have an upper hand in the forwards, the Kangethe twins alongside Ronnie Mwenesi, Joseph Wachira and Ben Nyambu will be a real handful.
Tony Mutai, Brian Okwomi and Edward Aseko should make a return to the side after sitting out the loss to Western Bulls. The three will help anchor a very young Quins forward line. Lyle Asiligwa and Kevin Keegan will have a big role to play at half back, with their forwards expected to be on the back foot most of the match, their territorial play will be vital.
Despite Nondies being slight favourites here, they will know not to take Quins lightly. They had an almost similar opportunity last season, but ended up losing 35-18.
Strathmore vs Western Bulls – 2pm, Strathmore Uni
League leaders Strathmore Leos will welcome the Bulls to the capital, looking to make it 5 wins from 5. The Leos have been in a rich vain on form, sitting on a perfect 20 points after the first four rounds of the league.
The Bulls have also had an impressive start, claiming back to back wins against Nondies and Mwamba, before losing to Homeboyz, then picking themselves up with that 15-5 win against Quins. The Echulusi are in 5th spot, on 13 points.
These two play a largely similar style of play, with very mobile and physical backs with forwards to match them. The last time these two met, the Leos found themselves trailing 17-0 before crawling back to claim a 33-17 result.
With the Bulls now a more experienced and settled outfit, we don’t expect a repeat of last year, this time it should be much closer. The two probable line ups make for a mouth watering encounter here. Elkins Musonye, Miller Oroto and Brian Bango in the Bulls back row will probably meet Brian Nyikuli, Adrian Opondo, Charles Omondi with Tony Owour or Dan Othieno.
In the backs Solomon Obiero will line up against Ken Andola at fly half. Samuel Motari and Billy Odhiambo the probable mid field combination for the Leos, to square it out with Isaac Wafula and Eliab Barasa for the Bulls.
Expect a high octane, high paced encounter here, with the odds in the Leos favour, but the Bulls are unpredictable outfit, high on confidence, and will be looking to add another scalp to their collection.
Mwamba vs Homeboyz – 4pm, Strathmore Uni
Finally on the top of the bill line up for match day 5 is the encounter between fourth placed Mwamba and 10th placed Homeboyz.
In the recent past, this fixture has served us with some memorable encounters, the Djs coming out on top last season, 26-12 to avenge a 43-8 result they suffered the previous season. With such a see saw trend, you can expect anything here.
The Djs come into this one off a 30-8 defeat at the hands of Nondies, the side seemingly unable to win under floodlights. Kulabu on their part, steam rolled past Catholic 77-3. The black shirts have so far won three and lost one earning them 16 points, Homeboyz winning 2 and losing 2, to accumulate 10 points.
With the likes of Collins Injera, Lavin and Chris Asego, Louis Kisia, Salaton Muturi, Brad Odwako and Joseph Oriwo in the Mwamba ranks you can’t see how Homeboyz is going to win this one. Especially give n the fact that they will be without Oscar Ayodi, Leonard Mugaisi, Mike Wanjala and Bush Mwale for this one.
However the Djs still pack a deft punch, with an array of young talent at their disposal led by the likes of Haroun Lubisia, Humphrey Mulama, Emmanuel Mavala, Max Kangeri, Leon Lubanga and Felix Ojow. If they do turn up, expect a real cracker here.
Mwamba will have the edge in the forwards, given their experience and the personnel at their disposal, their backs also look to have the upper hand against the Djs. It will be up to the Homeboyz to negate these perceived short falls on the green. Haroun Lubisia and his half back pairing will have to play a highly territorial game plan to have a chance in this one.
Other fixtures will see defending champions Nakuru host Mean Machine, with the Monks travelling to the coast to face Mombasa RFC.
Head to Head coming up shortly…this week I host Stephen ‘Syoks’ Musyoka.
Collated Fixtures.
12th Dec 2014 :
KCB vs Impala – 2pm, RFUEA
Quins vs Nondies – 4pm, RFUEA
13th Dec 2014 :
Strathmore vs Western Bulls – 2pm, Strathmore Uni.
Mwamba vs Homeboyz – 4pm, Strathmore Uni.
Nakuru vs Machine – 4pm, NAC.
Kabras vs Blakblad – 4pm, Kakamega High School.
Catholic vs Mombasa – 4pm, CUEA.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
