We are ready for Kabras Sugar, declare Homeboyz
What you need to know:
- Homeboyz stand between Kabras and a third successive appearance in the Kenya Cup final.
- Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga will be without fullback Tony Onyango.
- Olago acknowledged that Quins are sharp in defence and attack but said that they are up to the task.
Homeboyz have thrown down the gauntlet ahead of their Kenya Cup semi-finals clash against champions Kabras Sugar on Saturday in Nairobi.
Four-time winners Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) are also beaming with confidence ahead of their last four showdown with Kenya Harlequin at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.
Homeboyz stand between Kabras and a third successive appearance in the Kenya Cup final.
The Menengai Cream-sponsored Homeboyz and KCB emerged winners over their semis opponents during the regular season, with the Deejays downing the sugar millers 34-22 at Jamhuri Park while KCB left it late to stun Quins 29-26 at RFUEA grounds.
Homeboyz topped the league during the regular season for the first time in their history to claim an automatic place in the semi-finals, their first time too since their Kenya Cup debut in 2013.
KCB are chasing their fifth cup success after victories in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2015. KCB outclassed Kabras Sugar 27-3 to lift the 2014/2015 title but relinquished it last season when they lost to Resolution Impala Saracens 8-7 in the semi-finals. They later lost to Quins 36-29 in the playoff for third place.
Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga, who will be without fullback Tony Onyango, said his charges are going for nothing short of victory. KCB tactician Curtis Olago will miss the services of influential Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde.
MUGAISI IN
Murunga, who has replaced Onyango with Leonard Mugaisi, said that the Deejays should dance all the way to their maiden final unless his boys decide to “sleep on their laurels.”
“We are the team to beat by virtue of having downed all the heavyweights during the regular season in the likes of KCB, Quins, Impala, Kabras, Mwamba and Nakuru,” declared the confident Murunga. “But I have told my charges to stay alert since this is the knockout stage.”
“Kabras Sugar will be a tough nut to crack especially in terms of strength and physicality but we are equally strong and much faster than them,” said Murunga, noting that the team that will utilise every opportunity shall reign supreme. “Our speed and possession should count for us.”
Olago acknowledged that Quins are sharp in defence and attack but said that they are up to the task. “The semi-finals are the hardest since every team wants the final slot,” Olago said.
“We have had many weeks of hard work but it’s time for my boys to give it the last push to the required limit.”
Olago, who was coy on Amonde’s replacement, said the right antidote for knockout matches is execution, which they have been planning well for.
