KCB start quest for 7th Enterprise Cup glory

What you need to know:

  • Championship hungry Kabras tackle minnows Blak Blad in Kakamega.
  • Bankers host Mwamba at Ruaraka as visiting Nakuru test Impala in enticing quarter-finals.
  • Homeboyz take on Nondescripts at Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi looking for their maiden Cup title.

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) start the chase for their seventh Enterprise Cup title when they play hungry Mwamba at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka in one of the four quarter-final matches on Saturday in Nairobi and Kakamega.

Homeboyz take on Nondescripts at Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi looking for their maiden Cup title.

Also chasing a first national triumph are relatively new Kabras Sugar, who face lightweights Blak Blad Kakamega showground.

It has been some years since Impala Saracens and Nakuru won major titles but one of them could end the drought as they join the fray in an enticing showdown at Impala Sports Club in Nairobi.

The last time Nakuru won a major trophy was in 2014 when they, in fact, clinched both Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup. Impala won Enterprise Cup last in 2005 and Kenya Cup in 2009. Nakuru have won the Cup sevens time and Impala 11 times.

KCB have had a firm grip on the tournament, winning it the past two season. They beat Kabras Sugar in both finals while Mwamba have won the Enterprise Cup four times. They last won in 2013, beating Nakuru 15-10 in the final.

OWILA, MANG'ENI BOOST FOR KCB

KCB coach Curtis Olago is happy to have four of his forwards back from Kenya Simbas, who are preparing for the Africa Gold Cup that will double as the 2019 World Cup qualifier.

Olago said the addition of Martin Owila, Nelson Nyandat, Oliver Mang’eni and George Asin completed a side capable of moving to the last four.

“I have close to 14 players with Kenya Simbas and I am glad they have released some of the players to bolster my side,” said Olago. “Owila and Nyandat will start with Mang’eni and Asin coming off the bench.”

Mwamba coach Kevin “Bling” Wambua said that they had made only one change to the squad, handing Kenya Under-20 Elvin Okoth a big start at fly-half, replacing experienced Lavin Asego.

“We are trying to develop other players and Okoth is one of them,” said Wambua, who will depend the seasoned hands of skipper Edwin Machanje, Steve Sikuta, Brad Owako, Gregory Odhiambo and Salaton Muturi to deliver against the bankers.

“It’s a tough one for us but we shall prevail. The boys are hungry for success since it has been long,” said Wambua. KCB and Mwamba last met in the Kenya Cup rugby league regular season on January 20 at Railways, where the bankers prevailed 27-15.

KCB went on to finish the league unbeaten in 13 outings, beating Kabras Sugar 29-24 in a pulsating final on March 24 at KCB.

FIXTURES

Saturday

KCB v Mwamba (KCB Sports Club), Kabras Sugar v Blak Blad (Kakamega Showground), Impala Saracens v Nakuru (Impala Club), Nondescripts v Homeboyz (Jamhuri Park).