Kenya cup match day 8 will be the perfect chance at redemption, for 3 clubs, in rather contrasting form.
For KCB and Kabras, that chance at redemption comes a week after narrow losses to Quins and Homeboyz. Their chances however come in very tricky fixtures with KCB taking on Mwamba and Kabras hosting Strathmore.
Nakuru RFC have so far lost two matches, one of them, at home. For them, game week 8 offers a chance to avenge that home loss, as they travel to the capital to face Impala.
Mwamba v KCB – 4.00pm – Railway Club
Seventh placed Mwamba will host 3rd placed KCB at the Railway club, with a chance to make valuable ground on the sides above.
Kulabu are on 21 points, 5 behind the visitors and come into this fixture off a 77-9 victory over the Sharks. The Lions come to this one wounded, so far without a win in 2016, after that 20-14 loss to Quins.
The last 3 league encounters between these two have produced one winner, KCB, the latest meeting ending in a 28-15 result. But as we have seen so far, this league is no respecter of history.
Both sides have rang in the changes from their match day 7 squads, Kulabu have brought back the experience axis of Salaton Muturi, Tito Oduk, Dan Sikuta, Lavin Asego, Michael Agevi, Steve Okeyo, Kevin Wambua and Anthony Karanja.
The Lions welcome back Ken Moseti, Arthur Owira, Allan Omuka, Moses Amusala and Ken Andola to the match day 23 squad. They are however still without Darwin Mukidza, who is yet to shake off a rib injury.
That this one will be a cracker, is a no brainer. With both sides not only angling for a place in the play offs but already starting to eye those two semi final slots, the term cracker doesn’t even start to define this one.
The stand out battle here will definitely be at number 10, where the maestro Lavin Asego will face up against one of the people primed to take over from him, Ken Andola.
After squaring it out against Patrice Agunda and David Ambunya last weekend, things will not get any easier for Brian Omondi and James Kilonzo as they face Brad Odwako and Horace Otieno at midfield.
The back row battle will also be one to savour, former Kulabu man Nesta Okotch, will line up alongside Elly Mukaisi and Peter Waitere for KCB, against Dan Sikuta, Tito Oduk and Clyde Mulando. No doubt that Kulabu will have the upper hand as far as experience goes, not only in this back row battle but across the turf.
Whether that will play to their advantage or the Lions’ young charges will carry the day is anyone’s guess.
Resolution Impala Saracens v Top Fry Nakuru – 4.00pm – Impala Club
League leaders Impala host fourth placed Nakuru RFC, in what is expected to be the clash of the weekend, with 6 points separating the two. Perhaps more importantly, Impala beat Nakuru 26-18 at the NAC, a little over 4 weeks ago.
These two know each other all too well, with a lot of history between them. There was a time that Nakuru was almost turned into an Impala academy with a host of players moving from Nakuru to Impala.
During this time there used to be a joke that went round, “The easiest way for a Nakuru guy to move to Nairobi was to either join Nairobi University or Impala.”
Back to the current time and the Nakuru players who had moved to Impala have since made their way back and won 2 league titles. At the weekend they will be looking to avenge that loss in the first round and more importantly make their way up the log.
Impala have been by far the form team, their stay at the summit of the league a fitting reward. This will however be their sternest test yet, with a full strength Nakuru side out to inflict on them, only their second defeat of the season.
Both these sides come into this one off big wins, with the Sarries beating Machine 55-10 and the Wanyore recording a 37-13 result over Western Bulls.
The last league encounters in recent seasons have produced a draw, and two wins for Nakuru. That draw coming in 2012/13, a 15 all score at the Impala club. Nakuru then claiming 27-0 and 31-13 wins in 2013/14 and 2014/15 at the NAC.
It will be one of those classic forwards vs backs matches, with Nakuru’s strength mainly in the forwards and Impala’s in the backs. Looking at the two line ups we are definitely in for a treat with both sides fielding their strongest possible teams.
Of the battles to look out for, the one at number 8 stands out with Lawi Buyachi, lining up against Duncan Ekasi. Further out the battle at 12, between Robert Aringo of Impala and Kelvin Omiyo on the opposite side promises to be filled with fireworks.
As mentioned earlier, Nakuru are expected to have the upper hand at the forwards with Impala having the same at the backs. If the Wanyore can successfully starve Impala of the ball, they will be half way through their job here.
The Impala forwards will have to provide neat ball to their backs, and let the magic happen, if they can do this then they will have done their role. This is all easier written than done, and will be like a classic chess match on the day.
Other matches will see, Kabras (9) try to climb what is quickly turning into one slippery slope when they host Strathmore (5) at the Kakamega Show grounds. Homeboyz (6) will play Mean Machine (12), in the early kick off at the Impala grounds.
Western Bulls (11) will be hoping for a win, after a promising two weeks when they travel to Thika to face the Millars (13). Second placed Harlequins travel up the super highway to play Blak Blad (10), with Nondies (8) hosting bottom placed Sharks.
Collated Match Day 8 fixtures :
Mean Machine v Menengai Cream Homeboyz – 2.00pm – Impala Club *Live on Zuku and K24
Resolution Impala Saracens v Top Fry Nakuru – 4.00pm – Impala Club *Live on Zuku and K24
Mwamba v KCB – 4.00pm – Railway Club
Thika v Western Bulls – 4.00pm – Thika Stadium
Kabras Sugar v Pan Africa Strathmore Leos – 4.00pm – Kakamega Showground
Blak Blad v Kenya Harlequin – 4.00pm – Kenyatta University
Nondescripts v Kenya Sharks – 4.00pm – Jamhuri Park
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
