The Kenya Cup playoff enters the quarterfinal stage on Saturday with two intriguing ties in Nakuru and Nairobi.
The 2022 Kenya Cup finalists Menengai Oilers, who finished third in the pool phase, entertain a dangerous Blak Blad (sixth) outfit at the Nakuru Ask showground.
In Nairobi, Quins, fourth on the log, will seek revenge when they welcome Ngong Road rivals Nondies (fifth) at the RFUEA ground.
Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has made seven changes to the side that defeated Catholic University Monks 34-23 in Nairobi last weekend.
Vincent Mwikhali returns at tighthead prop to anchor the scrum alongside Francis Atiti and Celestine Mboi in the front row. Clinton Odhiambo returns to partner skipper Ibrahim Ayoo in the engine room while Jadha Abdon and Crispine Shitundo are reunited in the back row.
In the backs, Abdulwalib Wesonga starts in the number 10 jersey while scoring machine, Beldad Ogeta, is on the wing with Harold Django partnering Tyson Maina in midfield.
Weru expects a tough contest against the varsity outfit, who are playing in the playoffs for the first time since Kenya Cup adopted the playoff format 15 years ago.
“This is knockout rugby and we have to be at our best. We have home advantage and we know what Blak Blad bring. The key is to dominate setpiece — scrum and lineout— and win the battle at the gain line,” said Weru.
Oilers have won four of the last six meetings between them (23-19, 19-0, 25-15 and 24-13).
Blak Blak have won once, 17-16, last season, with the other ending in a 12-12 draw.
The Thika Road side hope to cause a big upset and qualify for next weekend's semifinals, where former champions KCB await.
Coach Bernard Rotich will rely on abrasive skipper Obat Kuke, Brian Kidake, Anthony Amayi and James Otieno in the forwards.
Benjamin Rugar starts at scrumhalf and will partner Benjamin Oloo in the halfback combination with the speedy Huku Khwesa and Kelvin Karue pick of the backs.
The winner of the match between Nondies and Quins clash will face champions Kabras in Kakamega on March 23.
