DAGGERS DRAWN: Homeboyz entertain champions Kabras in Kenya Cup duel

Collins Shikoli of Menengai Cream Homeboyz Rugby runs with the ball past Impala players during the finals of Prinsloo sevens at Nakuru Athletics Club on Agust 7,2016.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

There is no doubt that the highlight of this weekend’s 14th round of the Kenya Cup League will be a clash between champions Kabras Sugar RFC and on-form Homeboyz RFC at Jamhuri Park (4.15pm).

The two teams are coming off impressive wins but it is the Deejays’ six game unbeaten run that has made them perhaps the most dangerous team as the league comes close to an end.

Save for the four points, there is a lot at stake as the race for play-offs intensifies with four matches to go.
The Deejays, who stunned Kabras 29-28 in last year’s encounter in Kakamega, dislodged the millers from the third position on the table (49 points) after seeing off Blak Blad 32-16 in last weekend’s rescheduled match.

This came after they had overcome Kenya Harlequin, Impala, Mwamba, Mean Machine and leaders KCB in succession. 

Kabras dropped further to fifth position as Impala, who face a tricky trip to Nakuru, moved up to the fourth position (46 points) after beating Nondescripts 24-7 last Saturday.

But Homeboyz will have to do without injured winger Collins Shikoli and the quartet of Bush Mwale, Oscar Ayodi, Leonard Mugaisi and Augustine Lugonzo who are with the national sevens team in Las Vegas.
Although Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga expects a difficult match, he has insisted that they are not under pressure.

“Right now we have a playing structure that has been successful for last six games. Apart from the four national team players and Shikoli who is injured I will not change anything because the system has been working in the last six matches,” Murunga told Feverpitch.

“We are both playing for something and all of us want to win. But the pressure is on them because they are the champions. We just need to stick to our game plan. It will be a relief for us if we win and pressure to them as they still have tough matches ahead.”

While the Deejays will be seeking to extend the unbeaten run, Kabras will be targeting to avenge the loss in Kakamega and return to the top four.

“It is going to be a very tough and physical game, but we have worked hard for this game.

“They have a home advantage and have won six of their last games, but anything is possible.

“But the team that will want it more, will win. We just need to dig deeper,” said Kabras Sugar assistant coach Anthony Ogot.

“We are not concerned with the position, our focus is on today’s game and not the Cup final. Just taking one game at a time.”

In other matches, league leaders Kenya Commercial Bank takes on struggling Nondies as relegation threatened Mean Machine host second placed Quins at the UoN.