Rugby: Okwemba positive ahead of second Championship match against MMUST

Felix Wamocho (right)of Masinde Muliro university battles for the ball with Kelvin Kioko of Nakuru Top Fry RFC during the Great Rift 10 Aside at Nakuru Athletics club on April 1,2018.Homboyze beat Stabic Mwamba RFC 28-0.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

 

Kisumu tuned up ahead of Masinde Muliro date

Kisumu RFC poised to make early statement towards Kenya Cup promotion as the Nyanza and Western teams renew rivalry.

Kisumu RFC will be chasing their second successive victory in the 2018-2019 Kenya Rugby Union Championships when they face Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) on Saturday.

After finishing fourth last season, two places down the promotion slot, Kisumu will be seeking to pose an early statement as a strong contender for the top spot when they welcome the victory-hungry Kakamega based students at ASK Mamboleo Showground seeking to deal them a second loss.

Kisumu RFC, who are coached by former Western Bulls head coach Howard Okwemba, started the Championships campaign with a convincing 20-3 win over University of Eldoret.

Speaking to The Standard Sport yesterday, coach Okwemba said his charges will not be under pressure despite carrying the favourites tag.

“We had a good game in Eldoret and the mood in the team is positive. There is no pressure. We had no major injuries incurred from last week’s match and we are ready for the students,” Okwemba said.

MMUST, who were promoted after finishing top in the KRU Nationwide Western Region A, were bullied by Western Bulls and lost 16-15 in their first match of the championships.

Okwemba, who is in his first season with the lakeside team, said Kisumu is a strong side, adding that the return of his four players is a big boost to the team.

“Four players who did not travel with us to Eldoret are back. The experience of Brian Bango, Israel Makokha, Joseph Ochieng and Jay Cox will be crucial for the team on Saturday,” he said.

However, Okwemba said they will not take the students lightly after boosting their squad with the acquisition of more than six players from Kenya Cup 2016 champions Kabras Sugar.

The last meeting between Kisumu and MMUST was during Dala Sevens Series on September 9-13.

The students won the Plate Semifinal contest 22-5.

“We intend to try out new combinations and take a game at a time. I anticipate a bruising battle against MMUST because they are worthy opponents and I hope we will take the game to them,” he said.

The former Kenya Sevens international added that they have set sights on qualifying for the 2019-2020 Kenya Cup campaign but they will not hurry in their campaign.

“We are looking at approaching every game with a different strategy and getting a positive result in all our matches,” Okwemba said.

“Set-pieces and possession will be crucial for us in this campaign if we are to qualify for Kenya Cup next year.”

A total of six fixtures are on the cards at the weekend.