TOUGH TASK AHEAD: Champions KCB braced for crunch final against Impala

Nakuru Top Fry Edwin Okemwa(R) and Brian Omondi of KCB struggle for the ball during their Rugby Titan Cup 2015 at KRFU Ground, Nairobi on Saturday 07/11/15. Nakuru won 33-29.PHOTO;BONIFACE OKENDO

Kenya Commercial Bank team manager Ronnie Kangetta expects Impala RFC to be a tough nut to crack for the champions as they seek to write history in tonight’s (7pm) Impala Floodlit tournament final, at the Impala Sports Club.

This will be a repeat of last year’s final where the bankers, who are looking to become the first team to win the Impala Floodlit title four times in a row, rallied from behind to beat the Sarries 26-14.

Both teams laboured to book a slot in the finals. Impala ousted Ngong Road rivals Kenya Harlequin 13-11 in last weekend’s semi-finals as KCB beat Nakuru 28-26 to sail through.

Although Impala will be out to avenge the 2015 final defeat, Kangetta also challenged his players to make amends for last season’s two Kenya Cup defeats to the Gazelles.

“It is a big match for both teams. I know Impala are out for revenge, but we also want to rectify the mistakes we made in the last two Kenya Cup matches we lost to them. It is also an opportunity for us to write history by becoming the first team to win the title four times in a row,” Kangetta told Feverpitch.

The official said he has an injury free squad at his disposal as they seek to play for their bereaved coach Curtis Olago, who lost his sister last Saturday ahead of the semis.

“There is no any injury concern in the team and it is the same semis squad that will play today. The boys want to play for our bereaved coach Curtis (Olago) and uplift his spirit during this trying moment,” he added.

Just like Kangetta, Impala RFC Director of Rugby Fred Ollows is braced for a tough match. The hosts are eager to end a five-year title drought.

“KCB will always be physical, so we will try to get the ball out of tight situations and see if we can play a bit wider,” said Ollows.“They beat us in the final, but we beat them twice after that. I think we closed the gap in the course of the season. We know a final is a final and whoever takes his chances is likely to win.”

The champions will bank on the leadership and experience of captain Andrew Amonde and instrumental Darwin Mukidza, while the Sarries will expect Quinto Oongo to replicate his the derby day Man of the Match performance today.

The match will be preceded by finals of other categories. Laiser Hill will be hoping to continue with their dominance over Ofafa Jericho in a repeat of last year’s finals as Homeboyz take on Strathmore in the newly introduced Plate final category.

Meanwhile KRU’s target for Sevens team coach Gordon Tietjens has signed for Samoa.