Rugby: Kabras Sugar upbeat of reaching Enterprise Cup finals

Kabras Sugar Hillary Mwanjilwa in action against Strathmore University during Kenya Cup semifinal played in Kakamega.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Defending champions Kabras Sugar are confident of reaching their second consecutive Enterprise Cup finals.

The recently crowned Kenya Cup champions will however have to go past visiting Homeboyz at Kakamega Showground in the semifinals set to kick off from 3pm (East African Time).

Edwin Achayo, the millers’ assistant head coach, believes patience, focus and team work will get them through to the finals as they seek to cap the 2021-2022 season with another trophy.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, the former Kenya Simbas scrum half said they have prepared well and will go full force on Homeboyz who he acknowledged is a strong side despite their Kenya Cup struggles.

“We are looking forward to making the finals. We definitely expect a tough match against Homeboyz. They have good and mobile backs as well as forwards but so do we. We have a full squad to pick from and we expect them to perform better,” said Achayo.

Meanwhile, Kabras Sugar coach Jerome Muller has made four changes to the side that knocked out Nondescripts 34-17 in the quarter-finals played last Saturday in Kakamega.

Thomas Simiyu has been introduced in the place of George Nyambua at blind-side flanker as Hillary Mwajilwa start ahead of Ephraim Oduor at loose-head prop.

Hooker Eugene Sifuna will captain the team while South African Dukisa Ntabeni replaces Jone Kubu at fly-half.

The last change sees Alfred Orege, who didn’t feature against Nondies, comes in at left wing.

Collins Indeche and Jeanson Musoga will keep their slots in the back row while Barry Robinson is at scrum-half.

Rosco Syster at fullback, Habil Malik and Valerian Tendwa have been retained in the midfield.

Kabras crushed Impala Saracens 37-7 in the final to win their maiden Enterprise Cup title in 2019 at the RFUEA grounds but the event was not played in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.

Kabras Sugar Squad: 1.Hillary Mwanjilwa, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Asuman Mugerwa, 4. Hillary Odhiambo 5. David Bunduki 6. Thomas Simiyu 7. Collins Indeche 8. Jeanson Musoga 9. Barry Robinson 10. Ntabeni Dukisa 11. Alfred Orege, 12. Habil Malik 13.Valerian Tendwa, 14. Bede Enonda 15. Rosco Syster

Replacements:16. Bruce Endovo, 17. Emmanuel Were, 18 Edwin Oyoo 19.Geoffrey Messo, 20. Argwins Owino 21. Dan Angwech 22. Felix Ayange 23. William Opaka