Mouth Watering Encounters Lined Up In Cup Semis

After the Easter festivities, attention shifts back to the cup competitions this weekend with some mouth watering semi final fixtures lined up.

Two of the three champions from last year are still standing, the biggest casualty of the quarter finals being defending Enterprise cup champions Nakuru RFC who were eliminated by Homeboyz.

Homeboyz v Pan Africa Strathmore Leos (2pm, KCB Sports Club)

For their triumphs, the Djs have set up a semi final clash against a side they love playing, the Strathmore Leos. The Leos on their part saw off Nondies 20-5 at the Red Lion. These two will be making their first appearance at the semi finals, meaning whichever way this one goes we will have a first time finalist on the 18th.

This fixture needs no introduction to many, it comes with an interesting stat with it. The Leos have never beaten the Djs in the longer version of the game ever since the latter was promoted to the top flight. Could this be the weekend that this stat is thrown out the window?

Both sides come into this one with their tails held up high, though the Djs’ should be a bit higher having dismissed the defending champions at the now once dreaded Suguta Valley. The Leos were in bullish mood in their win over Nondies and will be looking to carry that form into this semi.

With the Enterprise cup representing the last hope for silverware this season for these two expect an explosive encounter at the Lion’s Den. The two tacticians will have virtually full houses to pick their squads from, say apart from the sevens internationals.

It is no secret that these two play a similar brand of entertaining rugby, preferring the open spaces rather than the direct spaces. Their last encounter saw the Djs narrowly edge out the Leos 18-15 at the same venue in a league fixture.

The potential match ups across the pitch are ones to behold.

Joshua Chisanga vs Charles Omondi at back row is set to be a battle to behold, with Brian Nyikuli and Felix Ojow on either side of the battle. In the middle of the park Oscar Ayodi and Max Kangeri will probably face Alex Olaba and Frank Wanyama. Further towards the touchline, Cyprian Kuto will square it out against Alvin Otieno.

With Augustine Lughonzo back to fitness it will be interesting to see where head coach Paul Murunga will deploy the lethal play maker.

In so many words..this one has every indication of a titanic battle.

KCB vs Resolution Impala Saracens (4pm, KCB Sports Club)

Before fans at the Den get time to let the result from the Leos vs Djs fixture sink in, they will be in for another battle of titans as last year’s finalists KCB host Impala.

While the previous encounter is expected to be more of a free flowing affair, expect a complete rugby treat in this one, with both sides packing formidable forward and line complemented by an equally impressive back line.

These two met at the same stage last season, treating us to a 100 minute thriller at the Impala club with KCB just edging it 31-24 at the Impala Club. Their most recent meeting in the league saw the Lions claim a rare 22-3 win. Rare seeing as recent encounters have registered very close scores.

These two were made to work their socks off to book this date, with the Lions narrowly getting past Quins 13-8 at the den. Impala were at the right end of a high scoring result against Western Bulls at the Impala Club, winning 37-23.

As mentioned earlier this is expected to be a full rugby treat, with both sides boasting of the forwards to give us a real cracker at the set pieces and backs who can turn a game on its head with one run.

The potential tight five battle between Curtis Lilako, Peter Karia, Moses Amusala, John Ahenda and Oliver Mang’eni on one side against Mathew Musalia, Kelvins Karani, Martin Waithumbi, Davis Makori and Paul Oimbo on the other is evenly spread out and will hold a big role in determining the winner here.

Duncan Ekasi, Joel Omer and Eric Kopondo will potentially face off against Elly Mukaisi, Philip Wamae and Max Adaka in the back row. The trio of Ken Moseti, Brian Omondi and Fabian Olando at 10,12,13 will most probably face off against Anthony Nyandigisi, Lameck Dunde and Sammy Oliech or George Okowa depending on how head coach Situma decides to deploy the versatile pair.

The availability of veterans Vincent Mose, Nato Simiyu will do the already fluid Impala back line a load of good. Add to that list Robert Aringo and Ian Minjire who played in the Mwamba cup quarter finals and this Impala side looks even more devastating.

The Lions will definitely miss the services of Allan Omuka, the marauding runner sidelined by injury.

Mwamba Cup

Mwamba Cup defending champions the KCB cubs will host Blak Blad II at the den, the Cubs beat Nakuru II 10-0 at the same venue in the quarter finals. Blad II saw off Thika road neighbours USIU 17-5 to book this date.

The other semi final will see Kabras II take on the Impala Boks at the Kakamega Show grounds. Kabras II blanked bitter rivals Bulls II 28-0 to make it to the semi finals, with Impala II battling to a 35-23 result over Homeboyz II.

Mwamba Cup Div II

Defending Mwamba Cup Division II champions Impala III welcome UoE to the Impala grounds. The hosts making it to the semis courtesy of a 21-3 result against Brumbies. UoE were narrow 17-14 victors over Kiambu in their quarter final fixture.

The other semi final will see MKU Thika take on the South Coast Pirates at the Happy Valley. MKU Thika ran over last year’s finalists Shieywe 45-0, with the Pirates benefiting from a walk over against Egerton.

Collated Cup Fixtures :

Enterprise Cup
KCB vs Resolution Impala Saracens (4pm, KCB Sports Club)

Homeboyz v Pan Africa Strathmore Leos (2pm, KCB Sports Club)