Kabras, KCB seek to continue good start

KCB's Geoffrey Okwach (left) is tackled by Cecil Otieno of Strathmore Leos during a Kenya Cup match at KCB Sports Club on Saturday, Feb 27, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kabras Sugar and KCB will be aiming to continue their good start to this year’s Kenya Cup campaign when they play today in Nairobi

The millers, fresh from a 56-0 victory over MMUST on the opening day, will be eying a second consecutive win when they play returnees, Strathmore Leos, at Impala Club as the latter hopes for the first win of the season.

The RFUEA grounds will host a doubleheader with Kenyatta University side Blak Blad taking on Menengai Oilers in the early kick-off match before defending champions KCB take on wounded Kenya Harlequin.

The final game of the weekend will feature Masinde Muliro University against Nakuru RFC at Nakuru Athletic Club as they eye a maiden win in the Kenya Cup.

Kabras head coach Mzinganye Nyathi said the return of Fijian fullback Jone Kubu and other eight players who missed the Kenya Cup opener have boosted the team.

Ephraim Oduor, Eugene Sifuna, Brian Juma, Lawrence Buyachi, Paul Abuto, Johnstone Mawe, Malik Habil and Kubu are all expected back to face Leos.

Kabras head coach Mzinganye Nyathi. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Speaking during an interview with Standard Sports, Nyathi said Kabras will continue with its internally focused approach to games.

“It was evident from the reports on Strathmore’s game last week that they have come back to Kenya Cup prepared.

“I am sure they are working on getting their game at a level to compete just as we are working on our chemistry too,” said the Zimbabwean coach.

“The boys have come through fine though it’s early days in the competition, players are still getting their match conditioning up. Nevertheless, we are ready and looking forward to a win.”

On the other side, Strathmore Leos captain Gabriel Adero said the team will be missing the services of hooker Clinton Imbuye who is out with a concussion, but they are upbeat ahead of the tie.

John Okoth (left) of Nakuru RFC battles for the ball with Stormy Odhiambo of Blak Blad during the Kenya Cup match played at Nakuru athletics club on February 27, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Even though Adero agreed Leos can’t compare their fitness level now with when they were playing in the championship, he believes executing the skills and tactical plan they have been working on during training will be key against Kabras.

“We expect a big challenge this weekend, this is what we have been training for and so we hope that whatever skill we will use will work for us,” Adero.

Meanwhile, Kenya Cup holders KCB have made six changes to their squad for the second match of the season against Harlequin.

Griffin Musila, Curtis Lilako who started last weekend in the 24-16 win over Strathmore have been named on the bench while Oliver Mang’eni, Shaban Ahmed and Esau Otieno are absent.   

Darwin Mukidza, Stephen Osumba, Steve Wamai and George Asina are expected to start.

Kabras, KCB and Oilers lead the Kenya Cup standings with five points heading into round two.