Nakuru RFC out to outclass Mwamba RFC in Cup final

By Bs Mulavi

Only Mwamba RFC stand in the way of Nakuru RFC and the crown of the Enterprise Cup.

The two sides meet Saturday for the final of the Region’s most respected Knock-Out tournament and Nakuru are stark on favourites to grab the coveted trophy after an impressive campaign in the Kenya Cup, which has been followed by an equally exciting title shout in the Enterprise Cup.

Nakuru has qualified for the final after beating former champions Kenya Harlequin and Kenya Commercial Bank, which gives them the confidence to face Mwamba, who are having a good spell too but are yet to stamp their mark in the season.

Nakuru Coach Eric Situma said  they expect a tough fixture from the Black shirts and what will separate the two teams will be the final quarter of the game.

 “When we played Mwamba in the Kenya Cup in Nakuru, we were able to play well against them in the first seventy minutes, but in the final ten, we slackened a little and they scored two quick tries to make the game level.”

80 minutes affair

Mwamba captain Salaton Muturi shared the same sentiments by claiming that when they play against Nakuru, it is always an 80 minute affair. “It’s going to be a long game and both teams will need to concentrate for the whole 80 minutes,” he said.

Muturi went on to claim that they stand a very big chance of beating Nakuru given that the game will be in Nairobi. “Last time we played we were at their home ground and we received a very favourable result,” he added. “This time they are coming to Nairobi, which we consider our ‘stronghold’ and they are sure to get an even better Mwamba.”

Injera presence

Mwamba are boosted by the inclusion of the Kenya Sevens team players, who are expected to be in action on the given day, “Collins Injera did not travel to the IRB circuit and is sure to start, but the rest of the team who were with the national side will be involved for the day but they will come from the bench,” he explained.

 Whereas Situma hinted that they will go all guns blazing into the game, given that it is a final. Muturi further said they will be a bit cautious at first as they size out their opponents and avoid exposing themselves to conceding easy tries.

With both teams eager to claim the ultimate glory, fans can expect a fast paced game, where Nakuru will enjoy the bulk of the possession, but Mwamba will be equally lethal on the counter attack, each time Nakuru make a mistake. Both teams are not shy of scoring and this is bound to be a high scoring entertaining game.

“We have learned from that very painful experience and we know we have to be alert for the whole duration of the game,” quipped Situma.

“Mwamba love to play a bit of open rugby and I think we are the same, only that we are more forwards oriented that them.”