Enterprise cup action will enter the quarter final stage at the weekend with three out of the four matches lined up being replays from last year.
Of the eight quarter finalists this year, Western Bulls are the new kids on the block, having not made it to the same stage last year. The Echulusi saw off 2013 champions Mwamba 19-12 at the Bull ring last weekend to book this slot.
Impala vs Western Bulls 4pm Impala Club
For their troubles, the Bulls travel to the capital to face off against Impala at the Impala Club. The hosts earning a direct ticket to the quarter finals after making it to the semis last year.
The most recent meeting between these two saw Impala claim a narrow 26-24 win in Kakamega, before that the red shirts were more comprehensive 30-16 victors in Nairobi last year. Impala will be the fresher of the two sides, having last played on the weekend of the 20th of February.
Momentum will however be on the visitors’ side, having shaken off any cobwebs last weekend. These factors will however play little part on Saturday. The red shirts should welcome back captain Duncan Ekasi to first team action alongside Nato Simiyu.
The trio of Sammy Oliech, Anthony Nyandigisi and Pius Shiundu will be vital for the hosts if they are to match last year’s run and make the semis. For the Bulls Davis Chenge, Cyrus Kuya, Duncan Abuyeka and Elkins Musonye will be the key guys for the Bulls if picked.
This one looks to go down to the wire, going by their most recent meeting, with the Bulls winning last weekend at the death, can they pull off another last minute shocker here?
Nakuru vs Homeboyz 4pm NAC
Defending champions Nakuru begin their title defence at home to the Djs, a side they met at the same stage on their way to cup glory last year.
The Wanyore were 35-10 winners in that encounter, they were however stretched by the Djs last time out in the Kenya cup, battling to a 15-12 result at the Impala club in the league. The defending champions will be looking to get their campaign off to a strong start here, playing at home for the first time since that loss in the league semi finals to Kabras.
The Djs were convincing 45-3 winners in their pre quarter final, they will have their tails up against this Nakuru side that slipped through their grasp in the league. Joshua Chisanga, Emmanuel Mavala, Oscar Ayodi and Haroun Lubisia will be vital to their cause at the Suguta Valley.
The hosts will not only be looking to wipe away the memories of that loss to Kabras here, but will be looking to send out a statement that they are still a force to reckon with. Martin Muita, Martin Owilla, Edwins Makori and Kelvin Omiyo will be the key figures for the hosts here.
If the Djs can stand up to the Wanyore forwards, then they will stand a chance in this one, if they however fold they will be in for a long eighty minutes at the rift.
KCB vs Quins 4pm KCB Sports Club
Last year’s losing finalists KCB kick off their campaign against a resurgent Quins side at the Lions den. These two met at the same stage last season, at the same venue with the hosts running away with a 36-6 result.
Their most recent meeting was one of the most memorable matches of the recent past, KCB romping to a 74-15 result at the RFUEA.
This will however be a different Quins outfit, having dismissed Kenya cup finalists Kabras 39-30 to make it here. The quartered shirts will be looking to immediately avenge that loss to the Lions and get back to the time when they dominated the Lions, it really didn’t matter where the two met.
Central to Quins’ charge will be Lyle Asiligwa’s boot, the scrum half playing a key role last weekend in that win over Kabras. Eden Agero and Dennis Muhanji will also need to replicate their showing in the backs, with Tony Mutai, Wilson Kopondo and Brian Okwomi vital in the forwards.
Fresh from winning the league title, the Lions will be looking to make it a double winning season as they take on Quins. They will be looking to pick up from where they left it at in the league when they take on the pitch on Saturday.
Curtis Lilako, Philip Wamae, Jacob Ojee, Fabian Olando, Darwin Mukidza, Max Adaka and Oliver Mang’eni will be vital to the Lions’ quest here. They will need to put the Kenya cup win behind them as they take on this very tricky looking Quins side.
Nondescripts vs Strathmore 4pm Jamhuri Grounds
The last quarter final will be my pick of the lot as Nondies take on the Strathmore Leos at the Red Lion. This encounter is one of the most unpredictable clashes in recent times, the two met at the same stage last year with Nondies claiming a 23-18 result.
Their most recent encounter saw Leos avenge that loss with a comprehensive 31-0 win over the white shirts. In the 2013/14 season, the Leos were narrow 20-17 winners in their league encounter. While the students look to be the slight favourites based on those stats, on the day this one could go either way.
The Leos warmed up for this encounter with a 38-22 win over campus rivals Mean Machine, with Nondies earning a direct ticket to the quarter finals.
This encounter is usually a battle between styles of play, with Nondies going the more direct route their play based on their forwards with the Leos playing a more free flowing brand of rugby.
Biko Adema should be back for the hosts, having played last weekend for the Mwamba Cup side, his influence alongside the likes of Ronnie Mwenesi, Joseph Wachira and Ben Nyambu will be key here. The Leos will be looking to Brian Nyikuli, Ken Andola, Cyprian Kuto and Charles Omondi to lead them to a win here.
Collated Enterprise Cup fixtures :
Nakuru vs Homeboyz (4pm, NAC)
KCB vs Quins (4pm, KCB Sports Club)
Nondescripts vs Strathmore (4pm, Jamhuri Grounds (Live on Zuku)
Impala vs Western Bulls (4pm, Impala Club)
Have you made your vote count? Well time to do so is now,
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
