Ollows rubbishes revenge talk as Impala clash with champions Kabras

Menengai Homebyz's Kevin Masai (left) fight it out with Max Adaka of Kabras during match day 14 action Kenya Cup Clash on Saturday, March 4 at ASK Jamhuri Park Showground. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Impala RFC will will be counting on their mental strength when they face Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar in today’s quarter-final tie despite losing to the millers in the final last year, the club’s Director Fred Ollows has said.

The millers, who beat the sarries 19-5 to lift their first ever Kenya Cup title, also emerged victorious (29-26) in the last meeting league match between the two clubs on March 18.

However, according to Ollows, history will count for nothing when they face-off at Impala Sports Club (4pm).

“That is history and it doesn’t matter any longer. These type of matches are about preparations and not past results. For heavens sake, this is a knock out match, so you cannot compare it with a final. History is just a distraction and personally I don’t believe in revenge,” Ollows told The Standard Sports.

“It all goes down to our mental strength, motivation, intensity and the desire to win. But from  the preparation we have had, I am confident the boys will deliver positive results.”

But the director is wary of the physical threat posed by Mike Bishop’s boys.

“Kabras is a physical team with very talented players who can make something out of nothing. They have reasonable threats all over the park. For example they have a dangerous player in Tanga (Brian),” said Ollows.

“But we have thought through those threats and I believe we are ready to take care of them and turn them to our advantage. However, whoever settles down fast will definitely carry the day.”

While Impala will be battling with Kabras, their Ngong road rivals Kenya Harlequin will be tackling Mwamba in an equally explosive match at RFUEA grounds.