Sisimka Charity Cup: Kabras, Quins tie sets pace

Lyle Asiligwa (centre) of Kenya Harlequins battles with Menengai Oilers players during the Kenya Cup match at Nakuru Ask Show ground on February 29, 2020. [Photo: Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Daggers have been drawn ahead of today’s inaugural Sisimka Charity Cup between eight-time Kenya Cup champions Kenya Harlequin and 2019 Enterprise Cup winners Kabras Sugar at Nyayo Stadium.

KCB were initially supposed to battle with the millers in the 3:30pm fixture which will pave way for the start of the new season but the current champions withdrew citing lack of adequate preparation.

While Quins will be out to gauge themselves ahead of the eight-team league that kicks off on February 27 , the match offers Zimbabwean coach Mzingaye Nyathi a chance to start his reign at Kabras on a winning note.

Ngong road-based clubs Nondescripts, Impala , Homeboyz and Mwamba will all not participate in this season’s Kenya Cup due to various reasons.

Claus Shirievo (left) of MMUST RFC scores a try against Kabras Sugar. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

The curtain-raiser at Nyayo Stadium will be preceded by a women’s 10-aside tournament involving four teams in Mwamba, Impala, Twiga RPS and Hidden Talent.

Elsewhere, former Kenyan international Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu will be seeking for a positive start on his return to the dugout as Kenya Sevens take on France in their opening match of the inter-regional series at 1.50pm today in Madrid, Spain.

Shujaa will then clash with Portugal at 4.35pm before wrapping up the day with a tie against USA at 7.20pm.

The national women’s team Kenya Lionesses will also be in action today. They open their campaign against Russia at 12.22pm, followed by a match against USA at 2.45 pm before taking on France at 5.30pm.

Kenya and other participating ten teams will be using the tournament as part of their preparation for Olympic Games in Tokyo.