• Ocholla expects tough battle at 'Suguta Valley'
• Third-placed Quins entertain Homeboyz at the RFUEA ground
Image: FILE
On form Nakuru RFC host league leaders Kabras in a mouth-watering Kenya Cup showdown in Nakuru as the race for play-offs intensifies.
The hosts have won their last four matches, beating derby rivals Menengai Oilers, 46-37, Mwamba 29-15, Strathmore Leos 33-18 and Impala 20- 15 at the Impala Club, to climb to sixth on the log with 37 points.
Head coach Mitch Ocholla has warned Kabras to be prepared for a tough battle at the ground christened 'Suguta Valley'.
"We are in good form currently. We had a slow start to the campaign but everything is coming together. However, we are expecting a competitive game," said Ocholla.
Ocholla observed the match will be won by the forwards. "If we can generate good quality ball from our forwards,put pressure and be efficient in attack, then we can win the match,” added Ocholla.
Nakuru have made one change for the encounter with Emmnauel Mboya starting at hooker replacing Dennis Abenga. Key players for the Wanyore upfront will be skipper Edwins Makori, Phillip Kwame and Charles Odongo.
Vice captain Geoffrey Ominde, who had an excellent match last week against Impala, starts at halfback and will be the key cog in the backline together with partner, Dancan Abuyeka with Kenya Sevens international Oscar Ouma and fleet-footed Gramwell Bunyassi on the wing.
Kabras, who are joint top with holders KCB on 59 points, won the first leg encounter 50-8 and will be seeking to complete the double over the hosts in what is expected to be a hard-fought match.
Key players for the sugarmillers upfront include skipper Max Adaka, Dan Sikuta, George Nyambua and Asman Mugerwa with Brian Tanga, Phillip Wokorach, Mario Wilson and Felix Ayange the pick of the backs.
Coach Henley Du Plessis is expecting a stern test from the hosts, whose form has improved lately.
“It will be a different game from the one we played in November and we must play intelligently,” he said. The match will be televised by Bamba Sport from 4pm. Champions KCB have a date with play-off-chasing, Mwamba at Jamhuri Park.
Third-placed Quins entertain Homeboyz RFC at the RFUEA ground while fourth-placed Nondies head to the Rift Valley for a clash against Menengai Oilers.
Impala battle it out against Strathmore Leos in what will also be an Enterprise Cup game as Mean Machine lock horns with Blak Blad in a varsity derby.
Mwamba vs KCB -4pm Jamhuri Park
Kenya Harlequins vs Homeboyz -4pm RFUEA
MenengaiOilers vs Nondies -4pm ASK grounds
Nakuru RFC vs Kabras -4pm NAC
Strath Leos vs Impala Saracens -4pm Impala
Mean Machine vs Blak Blad -4pm UON