Homeboyz, Impala clash in Enterprise Cup final at RFUEA grounds
What you need to know:
- Both sides make key changes as major rugby final is staged on Ngong Road.
- Enterprise Cup has a unique feature where a stalemate in regular time doesn’t attract a sudden death tie breaker. The teams play a further two 10 minutes halves. If that doesn’t produce a winner, the Cup is shared.
- Impala and Kenya Harlequin shared the trophy in 2003 after a 16-all deadlock in 100 minutes of play.
Homeboyz and Impala Saracens have made two changes each ahead of their Enterprise Cup final on Saturday at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.
Rugby purists will relish the clash on Ngong Road - considered the home of rugby - after the Kenya Cup final was held at KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka much to their chagrin.
Impala last won the Cup way back in 2005 while Homeboyz are yet to etch their name on the winners’ board setting the stage for an explosive meeting.
Meanwhile, Menengai Oilers face-off with University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine in the Kenya Rugby Union Championships final at the ASK Showground, Nakuru.
The final will be more about bragging rights since both teams have already been promoted to Kenya Cup next season by virtue of reaching this last stage.
Paul Murunga, the Homeboyz coach, has brought in Meshack Tunechi to replace Abel Matala and bolstered his kicking options with Elvis Adena on the bench.
Impala Saracens head coach Frank Ndong has recalled prop Steve Juma, who has recovered from illness to replace Soita Wekesa, who drops to the bench.
The Deejays, finalists in 2015, bundled out defending champions Kenya Commercial Bank (12-10) in the semi-finals at Ruaraka last Saturday.
Ndong has also handed Kenya Sevens debutant Ian Minjire a start on the blindside wing ahead of Timothy Makiya.
Sarries finally overcame their jinx in Kakamega, beating Kabras Sugar, who reached the two previous finals 16-13 for the first time. It was Impala’s first victory against Kabras at the Kakamega Showground.
Homeboyz, who last featured in Enterprise Cup final in 2015 losing 28-0 KCB, have reached the semi-finals in the last two seasons. Homeboyz and Impala last met in December the Kenya Cup. The Deejays triumphed 39-21. They finished second in the regular season but went down to Kabras 29-13 in the semi-finals.
“We expect a tough battle since the two teams have strong forwards and backs,” said Murunga. “But we have a slight edge with our experienced pack that is heavier than Impala.”
Murunga said his boys were hungry for their first major 15s silverware.
They only boast of the 2010 and 2011 Eric Shirley Shield titles.
“They are hungry and if they rise to the occasion then Impala are in for great tunes from the Deejays,” said Murunga.
“It’s over a decade since we were in the Enterprise Cup final. Many have seen out their careers here without ever having played in this final,” said Fred Ollows, Impala director of rugby.
“The current squad wants to complete the job to enter Impala folklore. Like in most finals, this will be about decisions, accuracy and belief. The boys are ready for the big moment,” said Ollows.
Enterprise Cup has a unique feature where a stalemate in regular time doesn’t attract a sudden death tie breaker. The teams play a further two 10 minutes halves. If that doesn’t produce a winner, the Cup is shared.
Impala and Kenya Harlequin shared the trophy in 2003 after a 16-all deadlock in 100 minutes of play.
The Enterprise Cup winner however does not come with any cash award but still remains a coveted title second to only the Kenya Cup.
