5 months, 16 game weeks, 192 matches, 4382 points and a league phase down the line, we can almost certainly say that the 2016/17 Kenya Cup title is for Homeboyz RFC to lose.
Though with three defeats in 16 matches, there is little doubt that the deejays have ended the regular season as the stand out side and favourites for the Kenya cup title going into the play offs. KCB had looked like the in form team for much of the regular season, that was until they met the Homeboyz. Same can be said for Quins, Impala and defending champions Kabras.
Apart from finishing top of the log, the deejays run is even more impressive if you look at their record against the top sides, KCB, Kabras, Quins, Impala, throw in Mwamba and Nakuru too just for good measure. Out of 8 matches in total, Homeboyz have won 6, the best run among the top 7 sides in the league.
A keen eye would also notice that the deejay’s have a soft under belly, when they come up against the ‘smaller sides.’ Apart from the losses to Impala and Quins, Homeboyz lost to Strathmore 32-33, were stretched by both Blak Blad and Western Bulls, before claiming a last minute draw against Nondies in the last game of the regular season. Luckily for Homeboyz, they don’t have to play those sides in the playoffs.
The deejayz have everything going for them at this point, everything apart from history, ever since Nakuru won the Kenya cup in 2012-13 no side has finished top of the log in the regular season and gone on to win the Kenya cup. This Homeboyz side might just be the best equipped to break that run, having hit top form at the right time.
With key players returning from injury and an unbeaten run stretching to the start of the year, the Homeboyz camp couldn’t have looked any better going into the semi finals. That recent run against the top sides probably underlines their credentials for the title, you could pair them up against anyone at this point.
A home semi final against either Kabras or Impala awaits Homeboyz on the weekend of the 8th of April, they will most probably be without their sevens contingent, who they have managed to get this far largely without. They beat Kabras 34-22 at the Jamuhuri grounds and Impala 41-13 at the Impala club, after losing 42-39 in the reverse fixture at the Jamuhuri grounds.
A possible final against either KCB, Mwamba or Quins will then be all that stands between the deejayz and a first ever Kenya cup title. Smart money would back this Homeboyz side to complete the sevens and fifteens double, however like its bounce, the rugby ball is highly unpredictable, remember Impala last season or Strathmore a few years back how about KCB?
Despite this only being their second appearance in the play offs, what the Homeboyz lack in terms of experience they more than make up for in sheer grit and determination.
The acquisition of seasoned Kenya cup players has really paid of for Murunga’s charges, the likes of Polycap Odhiambo a Kenya cup winner with KCB, Cyprian Kuto, Charles Omondi, Tony Onyango and Humphrey Owour who by now know what not to do at these crucial stages. Plus the return of experienced players like Elisha Okello, you get a very stable side primed for glory.
This will definitely be an interesting couple of weeks, as we inch closer to the 2016/17 Kenya cup champion. Will the Deejayz replicate their sevens form during these last weeks, or will we see another side steal the limelight from them?
First up, the play offs :
Quins vs Mwamba – RFUEA grounds, 1st April 2017.
Impala vs Kabras – Impala Club, 1st April 2017.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!