Defending champions Menengai Oilers face KCB in a blockbuster quarter-final as the 43rd edition of the Impala Floodlit gets underway on Saturday, with the Nakuru-based side chasing a hat-trick of titles.
The two sides will meet at the same stage for the second consecutive year, with Oilers beating the bankers 25-13 in last year’s quarter-final. Oilers arrive for the encounter under new head coach Lawi Buyachi, who has replaced long-serving coach Gibson Weru, now the club’s director of rugby.
Former KCB player Darwin Mukidza has also joined the technical bench as assistant coach in charge of the backs as Oilers intensify their pursuit of the Kenya Cup title after several seasons of near misses. Buyachi expects a stern test against the bankers, who beat Oilers in the league, but believes his charges are well prepared for the challenge.
“We have had a robust pre-season and worked on several aspects of our play. We are up against a formidable opponent who beat us in the league,” observed Buyachi. The coach believes territorial advantage and set-pieces will decide the contest. “It will come down to who wins the battle of the gain line up front. The forwards and the set-piece, both at the scrum and line-out, will be key,” he added.
Buyachi will look to his experienced forward pack, led by captain Ibrahim Ayoo and featuring Chrispine Shitundo, Amos Obae and Phillip Okeyo, to provide the platform for victory. In the backs, Samuel Mwaura, new signing Paul Mutsami, Timothy Omela and Alvin Khavoli are expected to provide the attacking threat as Oilers seek to maintain their dominance in the floodlit competition.
KCB, meanwhile, head into the tournament on the back of an emphatic 38-8 victory over their sister club, Uganda’s Kobs, in a pre-season friendly a fortnight ago.
Head coach Andrew Amonde will be eager to guide the bankers past Oilers and avenge last year’s quarter-final defeat. The former Kenya Sevens captain believes his side are ready for the challenge after an intensive pre-season.
“We have ticked all our boxes in pre-season, ensuring that we are well aligned with the brand of rugby we want to play this season and the goals we want to achieve,” said Amonde.
Former Oilers player Fortune Arturo will face his old club, packing down in the scrum alongside Nick Okullo, Wilhite Mususi and Sheldon Kahi. Brian Wahinya, Bob Muhati and Isaac Njoroge will spearhead KCB’s attacking efforts.
Elsewhere in the men’s competition, Strathmore Leos face Mwamba, Nondescripts take on hosts Impala, while Kenya Harlequin meet Blak Blad. In the university category, Zetech University tackle KCA University, while high-flying Daystar Falcons face Kabete Stallions.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) will take on former champions Mean Machine, while United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) will meet Impala Swara.
