Nakuru eager to prevail over Monks in their Kenya Cup season opener

Nakuru Top Fry's Kelvin Omiyo inction as KCB's Allan Omuka keeps an eye during their Kenya Cup final match at KRU Grounds on 17-05-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Defending champions Top Fry Nakuru open their title defence against Catholic Monks at Nakuru Athletic Club as the Kenya Cup League kicks off tomorrow.

Monks who are making their debut, start the match as underdogs and have an uphill task against the defending champions.

Nakuru Coach Dominique Habimana said they are determined to emerge victorious as they aim to defend the title for the third consecutive year.

“A victory will motivate us as we look forward to forthcoming matches, which we’ll tackle one at a time,” Habimana told Fever Pitch.

After promoting some young players from the junior side into the main team, Habimana said: “I’m looking forward to blending them with the experienced players in the course of the season.”

Nelson Oyoo and Allan Odiyo who exhibited their skills in the Impala Floodlit Championship are expected to make exploits against the Monks and with the support of international Martin Owillah and versatile speedster Charles Odhiambo, the sky is the limit for the youngsters.

“A positive start would gives us the required impetus to effectively tackle the rest of the subsequent matches,” said Habimana.

A total of seven matches are lined up tomorrow.

Impala Floodlit champions KCB host debutantes Kabras Sugar in Ruaraka as Coach Curtis Olago said he would approach the league with a lot of maturity.

“The mode of play here is quite different to other tournaments and we are taking it a match at a time,” said Olago.

The tournament for the first time introduces double headers and floodlit matches.

The first double header pits Homeboyz against Mean Machine at the RFUEA grounds at 2pm to be followed by the match between Quins and Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad at 4pm.

The second double header will be played at Railways Club with the first match seeing Nondies tackling Western Bulls at 2pm and thereafter Mwamba taking on Impala at 4pm.

Mombasa Sports Club hosts Pan African Strathmore Leos in Mombasa.

The league also features five teams from outside Nairobi.

They are defending champions Nakuru, Western Bulls (Kakamega), Mombasa Sports Club, Kisumu and Eldoret RFC.