Exactly 232 days since Kabras lifted the 2022 Enterprise cup at the RFUEA grounds, it will be go time this Saturday as we welcome back the fifteens season across the country. So what can we look forward to in the 2022/23 season?
Return of ESS
This Saturday will mark the return of the second tier Eric Shirley Shield league, for the first time since the 2019/20 season. The return of the league is a welcome site as it provides a platform for more players to showcase their abilities at this level and also keep the ‘Kenya cup’ guys honest. While not all clubs might be able to field an ESS side, it is great to see it back!
4 PM Kick Off
Oh yes, Finally!!! We are back to proper kick off times for the Kenya Cup matches, may we never go back to the dark days of 3PM. A further challenge now to clubs and the union is to start experimenting with different days, Friday night, Sunday afternoon? Thank you.
Championship Battle
With Nondies and Impala playing the championship, expect the battle in that league to get a bit more attention as the two battle for the two Kenya Cup slots available at the end of the season. Expect the likes of Daystar, South Coast Pirates and Western Bulls to give the two Ngong road side a proper run for their money.
Women’s Kenya Cup
The second season of the women’s Kenya Cup will kick off on December 3rd, and if what we witnessed in that first season is anything to go by, we are in for a proper show. The defending champions Mwamba will definitely be the front runners, with Impala, Nakuru and Northern Suburbs expected to offer the greatest challenge.
I expect the competition level to be much better than last season, especially due to the fact that players will be looking to impress the national coaches as they prepare for the World XVs charge next year.
Officiating Levels
It has been one of the longest running cries in Kenya rugby, will this be the season that we finally see improvement in officiating or at least the effort towards the same? I really hope we do.
It has generally been quite gloomy around Kenyan rugby, let’s hope this new season brings some much needed joy with it. What are you looking forward to?
KWISHA Nimeruka Nje!!!
I find it rather odd that we play a rugby season of only just about 100days, with no return fixtures and expect to be a top Rugby playing Nation. This cannot be because of a lack of players, we now have hundreds of players leaving schools each year.