Champs Nakuru out to avenge last season’s loss to Mwamba

Nakuru RFC’s Martin Owila gets past Mwamba players during last season’s Kenya Cup match at the University of Nairobi grounds. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • Mwamba is the only side that outclassed Nakuru, winning 30-20 at the University of Nairobi grounds but that didn’t deter the Great Rift side from retaining the Kenya Cup title last year.
  • Chituyi will team up at back-row with eighth man Martin Owila and team captain Michael Okombe at open-side flank. Philip Owuor who has also recovered from a knock that kept him out of last weekend’s 36-29 win over Nondescripts, will team up with Edwins Makori at second-row.
  • Kenya Sevens speedster Collins Injera returns to the left wing, having played at flank since the league started. Another Kenya Sevens player, Dan Sikuta, returns from injury to partner Nick Ongeri at lock.

Kenya Cup champions and league leaders Nakuru will be out to avenge last season’s loss against Mwamba when they host the Ngong Road-based team at the Nakuru Athletics Club this evening.

Mwamba is the only side that outclassed Nakuru, winning 30-20 at the University of Nairobi grounds but that didn’t deter the Great Rift side from retaining the Kenya Cup title last year.

Nakuru, who are yet to test defeat this season, welcome back blind-side flanker Dalmas Chituyi, who dislocated his elbow during the Impala Floodlit tournament semi-final match against Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in October last year. KCB won the match 25-21 on their way to clinch the crown.

RECOVERED

Chituyi will team up at back-row with eighth man Martin Owila and team captain Michael Okombe at open-side flank. Philip Owuor who has also recovered from a knock that kept him out of last weekend’s 36-29 win over Nondescripts, will team up with Edwins Makori at second-row. Coach Dominique Habimana has said Charlton Mokua will make his Kenya Cup debut at lock, but will start off the bench.

Habimana noted that after losing in their last two matches, Mwamba will be strong mentally and will be out to end Nakuru’s unbeaten run.

“They (Mwamba) are the only team that beat us in Kenya Cup last season and they are thirsting for a repeat performance,” said Habimana.

Apart from KCB, Nakuru, who top the Kenya Cup standings with 39 points, is the only side yet to lose this season.

Victory will be crucial for Mwamba, who are fifth in the league with 25 point going into the play-offs. Coach John Mbai has opted to start Shaban Ahmed after fly-half came off the bench in Mwamba’s 15-28 loss to KCB last weekend. Shaban has taken over Chris Asego’s position, with the player moving to inside centre to replace injured Brad Owako. 

Kenya Sevens speedster Collins Injera returns to the left wing, having played at flank since the league started. Another Kenya Sevens player, Dan Sikuta, returns from injury to partner Nick Ongeri at lock.

At Ruaraka, Strathmore will host Kenya Harlequin before KCB play giant killers Homeboyz.