Kabras host Oilers in Kakamega ahead of fast approaching Kenya Cup league playoffs
By Benson Mbare, February 24, 2023
This weekend’s rugby games will see six fixtures lined up across the country ahead of the approaching playoffs.
Kabras Sugar RFC who are fresh from winning against rivals KCB RFC will be seeking to finish at the top of the standings when they host Menengai Oilers at the Kakamega grounds in Kakamega.
On the other hand, Oilers who are coached by former Kenya sevens talisman Gibson Weru will be hoping to stage a sweet revenge against the Sugarmen in a repeat of the 2022 Kenya cup final.
Both Oilers and Kabras have already qualified for the playoffs, but a win for either team will see them cement their respective positions.
At the RFUEA grounds, Kenya Harlequins will play host to Strathmore Leos, with the Ngong road-based side on a winning streak having won seven straight games, with the third position in mind for the Paul Murunga-coached side.
The Students on the other hand will be all out to cause an upset for the Ngong road-based team which is among the most decorated teams in the country.
Second-placed KCB rugby will make a short trip to the University of Nairobi grounds, where they are scheduled to play relegation-threatened Mean Machine at the UON grounds.
A win for the Curtis Olago-coached side will see the Bankers boost their morale ahead of the much-awaited playoff pairings.
In other fixtures of the day Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) will play host to Mwamba RFC at the MMUST grounds while Homeboyz RFC welcomes Kenyatta University Blak Blad’s Catholic Monks face Nakuru RFC at the Catholic University grounds.
In the Championship league which is the second tier of rugby union, varsity side Daystar University qualified for the semifinal playoffs and will be looking to secure a home semifinal with victory over the in-form South Coast Pirates in match day 11 action on Saturday 18 February 2023.
A win for Daystar will see them cement their second-place position with 44 points with a win against the Pirates behind former Kenya cup side Nondescripts RFC who currently top the Championship league and are in pole position to make a comeback to the top tier.
As the curtains fall on the league phase of the second tier KRU Championship, the Ngong Road derby pitting Impala Saracens against leaders Nondescripts at the Impala Club will be the highlight of the weekend.
The two sides were relegated to the championship at the close of last season and have recorded a cocktail of results, with Impala missing out on the playoffs while Nondies hold a runaway lead at the top of the table.
Both teams will be seeking to keep up their quest for an immediate return to the Kenya Cup.
In another fixture of the day third, placed Kisumu hosts Western Bulls in another match day 11 fixture.
Kisumu is currently placed third on the log and will be banking in on a bonus point win as well as a Daystar loss to secure a home semifinal as they look to bounce back to the Kenya Cup for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
Other matches on the final day of the league phase pit the USIU Martials against Shamas while Zetech Oaks play Kabarak University.