Kenya Cup: Menengai Oilers out to extend perfect run

Menengai Oilers players during a warm up session on August 21, 2024. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Menengai Oilers are determined to maintain their title charge in the 2024-2025 Kenya Cup season as they prepare to welcome unbeaten Nondescripts in a high-stakes clash at the Nakuru ASK Showground on Saturday.

The Oilers, currently joint-top with defending champions Kabras Sugar and KCB, all tied on 30 points, find themselves third on the table due to point difference. Kabras lead with an impressive tally of 363 points, followed by KCB with 291, while Oilers have 255.

Oilers head coach Gibson Weru acknowledges the challenge ahead, especially against a resilient Nondies side that sits fourth with 27 points, having won all six of their matches but missing out on bonus points in three of them.

"This is another crucial game for us. Nondies have been solid this season, and we cannot afford to lose focus. The competition at the top is extremely tight, and every point will count as we aim to stay in contention with Kabras and KCB," Weru stated.

The Oilers have been in red-hot form this season, kicking off their campaign with a commanding 76-13 victory over Kisumu RFC in November. They followed that up with a 38-8 triumph over Strathmore Leos before dismantling Mwamba 94-9 in their biggest win of the season.

The Nakuru derby saw them overpower Nakuru RFC 34-15, before cruising past Blak Blad 57-15. Last weekend, they secured a hard-fought 42-28 victory over Kenya Harlequin.

Meanwhile, Nondies will be looking to extend their unbeaten run and close the gap on the leading trio. Despite their consistent performances, the absence of bonus point wins in three matches has kept them slightly off the pace.

Elsewhere, KCB will host a wounded Kenya Harlequin at The Den. While Quins will be looking to bounce back from their loss to Oilers, reigning champions and current league leaders Kabras Sugar will entertain Blak Blad at Kakamega Forest.

At the lower end of the table, South Coast Pirates, who have managed only one win so far, will be desperate for victory when they host Nakuru RFC in Diani.

Kisumu RFC and Mwamba, placed ninth and tenth respectively, will lock horns at Mamboleo in a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash.

At the same time, Strathmore Leos, fresh off their first win of the season last weekend, will take on Impala RFC in another key battle for play-off position.

With the race for the playoffs heating up, all eyes will be on Nakuru as Oilers and Nondies put their unbeaten records on the line in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.