Regular winners Kenya go for power against old foes Uganda in Kampala
What you need to know:
- Kenya Lionesses face Lady Cranes and start all even after 5-5 first leg result
- The visitors head to the match with a slim three-point advantage from their first leg’s 20-17 victory last Saturday at the RFUEA ground, Nairobi.
A reshuffled Kenya “A” takes on Uganda Cranes in an explosive looking second leg of the Elgon Cup on Saturday at the Kyadondo grounds, Kampala.
The visitors head to the match with a slim three-point advantage from their first leg’s 20-17 victory last Saturday at the RFUEA ground, Nairobi.
(READ: Kenya ‘A’ edge Uganda at RFUEA)
Kenya have won the regional trophy eight times in the last 10 years against Uganda’s two victories. Cranes will be hoping to reclaim the crown they last won in 2012.
Kenya could have won last weekend’s encounter by a bigger margin, but their kicking department and forwards showed flaws that have seen head coach Mitch Ocholla ring the changes.
“Our forwards were not up to scratch and our kicking was not refined,” said Ocholla. “I have tried my best to patch up the loopholes and it is now left to the boys to deliver. It’s hard playing away but victory will be ours.”
Ocholla has brought in the element of power and physicality, starting Kabras Sugar’s prop Hillary Mwanjilwa and club mate Duncan Mwangi and KCB hooker Peter Kaaria ahead of McLanhan Sikuku, Francis Akatu and George Asin, who started last weekend. Sikuku, Akatu and Asin are replacements.
Lock Davis Makori (Impala Saracens) has replaced Michael Gitau, who starts on the bench. Makori will now partner with Philip Owuor (Nakuru) in lock position.
Ocholla has brought in experienced Nakuru eighth man Dalmus Chituyi in place of Charles Omondi, who scored two tries against Cranes. Chituyi will be key especially on line-outs.
MISSED SIX KICKS
Quins scrum-half Eden Agero, who missed six kicks last weekend, has been dropped from the team with Ocholla preferring veteran Kenny Andola (Strathmore) in his place.
Andola moves to fly half position, switching with KCB’s Ken Moseti, who moves to inside centre. Brian Omondi (KCB) drops to the bench.
KCB’s Felix Wanjala, who missed last weekend’s tie, replaces Agero at scrum-half while Duncan Abuyeka and Ian Minjire replaces Essau Otieno and Alvin Otieno at fullback and wing respectively.
Sammy Motari replaces William Mawira on the bench. Cranes will be without their influential winger Justin Kimono, who was suspended for two weeks for head butting Kenyan fly half Kennedy Moseti in the first leg. The Uganda side has former Mwamba player Scott Oluoch, Alex Mubiru and Dennis Mugambi among others to marshal their forwards.
In the women’s clash, defending champions Kenya Lionesses, face a Herculean task against the Lady Cranes, after their 5-5 draw in Nairobi a week ago. Kenya Lionesses have made one change to the side that played to a 5-5 home draw last weekend, Winnie Naima coming in for the unavailable Emily Hooper.
