Champs KCB look to cage Kabras Sugar at the den

What you need to know:

  • Champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kabras Sugar have sounded the drums, making crucial changes ahead of their epic Kenya Cup rugby league clash on Saturday at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.
  • The bankers, who are out to uphold their unbeaten run against Kabras Sugar in the league, have effected fives changes, while the Western Kenya sugar millers have made three changes.
  • KCB have brought in second-row Oliver Mang’eni and back-rows Davis Chenge and Brian Nyikuli, with influential full-back Darwin Mukidza and winger Jacob Ojee also making a comeback.

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kabras Sugar have sounded the drums, making crucial changes ahead of their epic Kenya Cup rugby league clash on Saturday at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

The bankers, who are out to uphold their unbeaten run against Kabras Sugar in the league, have effected fives changes, while the Western Kenya sugar millers have made three changes.

KCB have brought in second-row Oliver Mang’eni and back-rows Davis Chenge and Brian Nyikuli, with influential full-back Darwin Mukidza and winger Jacob Ojee also making a comeback.

KCB team manager Ronnie Kangeta said Mang’eni has just recovered from an eye injury, while Chenge, Nyikuli and Ojee are back after a deserved rest break after long season of play.

“Mukidza has recuperated from a shoulder knock right on time for the big match,” said Kangeta, adding that the league break has given them time to recover from injuries and plan for the duel.

The bankers will miss the services of their flanker Andrew Amonde and inside centre Arthur Owira, who are with Kenya Sevens team that leaves for USA and Canada Sevens on Saturday.

UNTAINTED RUN

Kabras are determined to chalk their maiden Kenya Cup win against KCB in a duel that will see the return of Ugandan international fullback Philip Wokorach, alongside first and second centre Kevin Omiyo and Fabian Olando respectively.

They have replaced injured Jacob Okumba, Johnston Mung’ao and Aluda Beda, who is out on school commitment.

KCB top the league with 44 points from an untainted run in nine matches, while Kabras Sugar, who are placed third with 34 points, a point behind Homeboyz.

Kabras and Homeboyz have lost a match each and are both vying for the two automatic semi-final places with two round of matches remaining before the end of the regular season.

The top two teams after the regular season will claim home sem-ifinal matches, while the next four teams will engage in pre-semifinal clash.

After Saturday’s match, KCB will meet Impala Saracens, while Kabras Sugar, who are handled by Charles Cardovillis, will take on a relatively manageable Blak Blad.

Homeboyz, who meet Mombasa at Jamhuri Park Show grounds on Saturday, will wrap up against Strathmore Leos.

PENULTIMATE ROUND

Some of the most memorable encounters between KCB and Kabras were during the 2014/2015 Kenya Cup final, where the bankers triumphed 27-3.

They met against last year in the 2016/2-17 Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup finals, where the Curtis Olago-coached KCB prevailed 36-8 and 27-23 respectively.

“We won’t dwell on past experience since Kabras Sugar have a new coach and a team that is without Fijians,” said Kangeta.

“They will be hungrier than before hence we are taking them with a seriousness and respect that they deserve.”

Kangeta reckoned that a team that will hold onto the ball longer, keep their heads down and play as a unit will carry the day.

Cardovilli’s deputy Antony Ogot said they have focused on a game plan that will see them beat the bankers for the first time in Kenya Cup.

“KCB have their best squad ever but that won’t stop us from our main target of victory,” said Ogot.

The penultimate round of matches in the Kenya Cup's league phase take place in other venues in Nairobi and Nakuru.

Fourth placed Impala Saracens are already guaranteed qualification to the top six play-offs as they host sixth-placed Strathmore Leos, who currently occupy the final playoff slot.

Victory for the Sarries could, depending on the outcome of the KCB- Kabras clash, see them climb to third on the log, while a win for the Leos will secure their qualification for the top six playoffs.

Fifth-place Quins host relegation-bound Kisii at the RFUEA grounds. Quins have already earned the right to feature in the play-offs and know that they must put in a solid performance.

FIXTURES (All matches at 4pm)

KCB v Kabras Sugar (KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka)

Homeboyz v Mombasa (Jamhuri Park)

Quins v Kisii (RFUEA)

Mwamba v Blak Blad (Railway Club, Nairobi)

Impala Saracens v Strathmore (Impala Club)

Nakuru v Nondescripts (Nakuru Athletic Club)