Impala, KCB to battle for priced title

Impala Saracens flanker Edwin Gatugo crashes into the Blak Blad defence during their Kenya Cup match at RFUEA Ground on March 25, 2017. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • KCB, who will be featuring in their fifth consecutive final, won Floodies back-to-back from 2013 to 2015.

Champions Impala Saracens have made changes to their squad while rivals Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) have opted to keep faith in the same starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s Impala Floodlit final at Impala Sports Club, Nairobi.

After struggling to beat Mean Machine 20-10 in the semi-finals last Saturday, Impala head coach Frank Ndong’ has reshuffle his forward and back lines.

Props Edgar Obino and Stephen Ayora have been replaced by James Kubasu and Joshua Momanyi respectively, with blindside flanker Harritone Munai coming in for Joel Omer.

Experienced Robert Aringo and reliable George Okowa replace Joash Ngesa and Ishmael Mokaya at inside and outside centre respectively.

Ngesa and Mokaya played against Machine.

INJURY
Ndong’ has enriched his bench with prop Kelvin Ronnoh, who has been signed from the United States International University (USIU), flanker Paul Mutsami and centre Anthony Nyandigisi. 

It will be Ronnoh first outing for Impala. Winger Adrian “Ade” Opondo, who sustained an ankle injury in the semis that KCB won at the death, beating Homeboyz 18-16 last Saturday, stays out with Collins Wanjala, who came off the bench, takes up his position.

Scrum-half Marlin Mukolwe, who started against Machine, will this time around be in the reserves, swapping positions with Michael Wanjala.

SEASON
KCB, who will be featuring in their fifth consecutive final, won Floodies back-to-back from 2013 to 2015, before relinquishing the title to Impala last year after losing 33-32 in a cracking final.

“This is a new season and the KCB we are going to face is unpredictable and we must step up our forwards play,” Ndong’ said. 

“Their skill levels are high up there and they are playing more open.

“We will need to devise ways of destabilising them.”