I will start by admitting that I am not the biggest fan of the new look Kenya cup. The new system that sees the 14 teams split into two pools of 7, playing home and away fixtures within the pools and one fixture against the other pool, is confused to say the least.
But being human I am predisposed to resist any change, maybe this system might be the start of something good. Did I mention that after the pool phase we will have a round of play offs?
I still don’t get why they didn’t just have a proper league, home and away fixtures with the league leader at the end being crowned champion, it would have taken the same time as this mumbo jumbo we have.
Anyway, this weekend the league enters its second match day, with some mouth watering encounters lined up. The pick off the pile being the double header at the RFUEA where Nondies will be taking on Nakuru and Quins taking on Kabras.
Elsewhere defending champions KCB who opened their title defence with a 62-0 win over Thika RFC will be taking on Mean Machine who lost 56-0 in in their opening fixture. Western Bulls will be looking for their first win, when they welcome Strathmore to the bull ring. Echulusi lost their first game, 13-9 TO Mwamba.
Kulabu will be taking on the Homeboyz at the Jamuhuri park, the Djs lost their first game against Nondies, 20-12 at the same venue. After the derby loss on match day 1, Impala will be looking to pick themselves up against the Bungoma Sharks who were beaten 87-3 by Kabras.
The other fixture will see Blak Blad travel up the super highway to meet Thika RFC, the two will be looking for their first points and wins of the season after recording 86-0 and 62-0 losses on day 1 respectively.
Total Nondies v Top Fry Nakuru – RFUEA – 2.00pm
After contrasting match day 1 wins, Total Nondies and Top Fry Nakuru will be looking to make it two out of two at the weekend.
It was sweet revenge for Nondies in the newly formed ‘Jamuhuri grounds derby’ against the Homeboyz. Having lost 29-3 to the Djs at Floodies, Nondies registered a 20-12 result. On their part Nakuru were commanding 86-0 winners over Blad.
This fixture has been a traditional battle of the forwards and that doesn’t look like changing at the weekend. The last 3 fixtures in the league have seen Nakuru claim 29-12, 19-8 and 36-29 wins. The last encounter, a real titanic battle at the RFUEA.
If available, Charles Kanyi and Ben Nyambu will be vital to the Nondies charge against Nakuru. Alongside the likes Joseph Wachira Raymond Kidiga and Okoma Eric the Nondies forwards will need to be firing on all cylinders to match their revered opponents.
Nakuru will be looking towards the likes of Sammy Warui, Philip Kwame, Edwins Makori, Mike Okombe and Martin Owila to lead their charge in the forwards with Martin Muita and probably Victor Shigholi marshaling the backs. It is bound to be an absorbing encounter, with Nakuru the pre-match favourites.
Nondies will probably be looking at last season’s encounter for encouragement, a match that they came so close to winning.
Kenya Harlequin v Kabras Sugar – RFUEA – 4.00pm
After recording a morale boosting 29-22 win over arch rivals Impala on game day 1, the Kenya Harlequin will be looking to build on that result when they host Kabras Sugar RFC.
Many had written off Quins’ chances of putting up a sustained charge at this year’s Kenya cup, after that heavy 43-5 defeat at the hands of Impala during Floodies. Those doubts were however largely written off with that result last weekend. This weekend will be another chance for Quins to silence their doubters.
Kabras are probably everyone’s odds on favourites to win this season’s Kenya cup, they travel to the capital off the back of a resounding 87-3 win over Bungoma Sharks and will be looking to send another statement here.
The last time these two met in the league, Kabras were 27-10 winners at the same venue,a repeat result here will be welcomed by Kabras but you feel Quins will be fancying their chances against their opponents. Especially looking at their latest encounter, in the Enterprise Cup, where Quins recorded a 39-30 result.
The potential match ups across the turf are to look forward to, with my pick being former team mates at Quins Nick Barasa and Patrice Agunda squaring it out at centre. Fabian Olando will probably line up against Dennis Muhanji with Max Adaka facing it off with Edward Aseko at hooker, Edwin Achayo will be up against the returning Lyle Asiligwa at scrum half.
Quins should not be written off in this encounter, if anything Kabras should be weary of this resurgent side. Tony Mutai will be vital in rounding up his forwards against the likes of Duncan Mwangi, Steven Oluoch, Polycarp Luaki among others.
The hosts will probably look to keep the ball away from the imposing Kabras forwards and keep it in the hands of the likes of Patrice, Mawira and Muhanji to lead their charge in the backs. It is bound to be a cracking affair at the RFUEA with both sides out to make a statement early on in the season.
Collated Fixtures :
Total Nondies v Top Fry Nakuru – RFUEA – 2.00pm – *Live on Zuku
Kenya Harlequin v Kabras Sugar – RFUEA – 4.00pm – *Live on Zuku and K24
Mean Machine v KCB – USIU – 4.00pm
Western Bulls v Pan Africa Strathmore Leos – Kakamega High – 4.00pm
Menengai Cream Homeboyz v Mwamba – Jamhuri Park – 4.00pm
Thika v Blak Blad – Thika Stadium – 4.00pm
Kenya Sharks v Resolution Impala Saracens – Bungoma High – 4.00pm
Just in case you missed the pooling for this season’s Keny Cup, they look something like this :
Pool A : KCB, Strathmore, Mwamba, Homeboyz, Western Bulls, Mean Machine, Thika RFC.
Pool B : Kabras, Nakuru, Impala, Nondies, Quins, Blak Blad, Bungoma Sharks.
Confused yet?
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
