Bamburi rugby semis showdown

Machakos, Kenya: All roads lead to Machakos town this weekend as Masaku hosts the heart and soul of rugby; Bamburi Rugby Super Series (BRSS).

The 2014 BRSS enters the semi-final stage with stakes even higher and race for the finals getting stiffer.

Fighting for a slot in the prestigious finals will be the defending champions Ndovu who last Saturday beat Bullore Chui to go top of group A. Ndovu will face a fire-breathing UAP Kifaru at 4pm in Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, and Dominique Habimana, Ndovu’s head coach, plans to shock Charles Ngovi’s boys.

“I know Kifaru are playing a good game but we are also worthy competitors. Let the fans expect an entertaining but tough game in Masaku. The boys are in good shape and we want to raise the standards of the game as we look at working hard on their finishing,” explained Habimana.

The opening match will see Papa Nguvu square it out with Bollore Chui in the first semi at 2pm. BRSS prides itself as the only tournament that brings together players drawn from two or three club teams. At the assembling stage, the various coaching staff from respective franchise select 30 players to represent the team in the tournament.

According to Kenya Rugby Union’s website, kenyarfu.com; Martin Muita, Edwins Makori (Ndovu), George Mutuku (UAP Kifaru) and Bush Mwale (Nguvu Papa) are all tied atop the BRSS points scorers charts with 10 points each. The Series has so far seen a total of 24 tries, 12 conversions, 3 drop goals and 11 penalties scored.

Legendary rugby coach and player Benjamin Ayimba told FeverPitch he was satisfied with the organisation of the games, saying that the decision not to include the boys in the national Kenya 15s side was the best.

At the same time, Bamburi Cement Group External Affairs and Communications Manager Mary Mueni reiterated Lafarge’s commitment in developing rugby not only in Kenya but in the East African region.

“This year, we decided to take rugby to the grassroots as well as to make the sport’s spirit remain alive not only in Nairobi but in Kenya and beyond our borders,” Mueni said.

After the semis, action returns to Nairobi for the final to  be played on June 7.

KRU chairman Mwangi Muthee said the finals will be of its own kind and will see rugby fans treated to a special Kenya vs South Africa’s Western Province match at the RFUEA Grounds along Ngong Road, Nairobi.