Impala seeking redemption against Oilers in crucial tie

Samuel Moturi (L) of Impala Saracens tackled by Ian Obukwa of KU during their Kenya Cup match at KCB Sports club in Nairobi on March 02, 2019. Impala RFC won 38-19. [www.sportpicha.com]

Impala Saracens will be looking to recover from last weekend’s 32-22 loss to Homeboyz when they entertain Menengai Oilers at Impala Club is one of six Kenya Cup fixtures lined up for today.

Impala, under the tutelage of former Kenya Sevens coach Mitch Ocholla, heads to the match fourth on the standings with 30 points, one more than fifth-placed Oilers. A second successive defeat will see the Nakuru based side dislodge them.

With Oilers playing their second season in the top flight, the two sides have met only once before, in the league, a match Ocholla’s charges won 24-22.

While Impala lost their first match of the year, Oilers started 2020 on a high note beating Mwamba in their last fixture at the Moi Showground in Nakuru.

“Rugby is a game played on the same field with one referee and it all depends on what you plan to do on the day. It’s not a script and at the end of the day, you just have to work hard and earn your points. We want to be ready to play Oilers at home and they are definitely a formidable side,” Ocholla said. 

“I don’t think we want to focus on other teams. Our focus has to be on ourselves and we are good to go wherever we land. It’s about a process and that will not be done in a day. The job I was brought to do at Impala is to bring back the championship mentality and some of the things we are targeting are to get more guys to the national team and win trophies,” he said.

Ocholla said they will be keen to improve on their weaknesses that have contributed to the losses they have suffered this Campaign.

At the same time, Oilers’ neighbours Nakuru RFC also make the trip to Nairobi to face Mwamba at the Railways Club with both sides aiming to return to winning ways.

Mwamba, who are seventh with 24 points, need nothing short of a win in order to enhance their chances of returning to the playoffs positions (top six) but they face a Nakuru side that is equally hungry having received a 38-0 hiding by league leaders Kabras Sugar in their last outing.

The last seven meetings between the two teams have seen Nakuru claim four wins against Mwamba’s two while one tie ended in a draw. Mwamba emerged 18-17 winners the last time the teams faced off.

University side Blak Blad will be out to ease their relegation worries when they face fellow strugglers Western Bulls at the Kenyatta University grounds.

Blak Blad, who are second from bottom in the 12-team standings, could go level on points with 10th-placed Bulls if they emerge victorious in the fixture that will have a huge bearing in relegation.