Western Bulls fight for Kenya Cup survival

Derick Kiyoga (with the ball) of Menengai Oilers battles with Derrick Ashiundu of Western Bulls during the Kenya cup match played at Nakuru Ask show ground on February 1,2020.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

Western Bulls could be relegated from the Kenya Cup league if they fail to beat Homeboyz in Kakamega this weekend, but full-back Allan Kasiti is optimistic about avoiding the axe.

With only two matches remaining in the regular season, Bulls, who are coached by Solomon Obiero, occupy 11th spot on the league table after collecting 13 points in 14 matches and Kasiti has urged his teammates to treat their fixtures against the Deejays and Nakuru RFC as finals.

“It’s do-or-die for us in the last two matches and we shall be leaving nothing to chance. I know it will be difficult since Homeboyz and Nakuru are good sides who are chasing the playoffs.

“It will not be easy for them as well because we know what is at stake,” said Kasiti, who has previously featured for Kabras Sugar.

“Unfortunately a lot of teams learnt our style of play from the first leg and it became very difficult for us to cope against them but I know it’s not yet over for us,” he said.

Bulls, who are grappling with financial difficulties due to lack of sponsorship, have found wins hard to come by having managed three victories the entire campaign and Kasiti attributed their struggles to inexperience within the playing unit.

“Most of our players have never played in the Kenya Cup before having just finished school a few years ago. It is not easy when you face some of these teams that have experienced players,” said Kasiti.

Meanwhile, Kisumu RFC looks set to bid their Kenya Cup status goodbye following a far from impressive 2018-19 season which has seen them win only one match in 13 attempts.

Brian Makalama’s charges, who earned a promotion to the top tier this season after spending four campaigns in the Kenya Rugby Union Championship, are languishing at the bottom of the standings with six points having played one game less after their fixture with Nondescripts was postponed.

“I think inexperience coupled with lack of proper physical conditioning during the pre-season have come back to haunt us. Sometimes I feel that competition is a bit unfair because we are only newcomers in a difficult league and the expectation is that we do well,” Makalama said in a previous interview.