Quins face KCB test in Kenya Cup semi-finals

Harlequins Captain Patrice Agunda breaks through Kabras Sugar players during Enterprise Cup match at RFUEA. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Fresh from a humiliating 54-11 defeat to Kabras Sugar in the Enterprise Cup, Kenya Harlequin face yet another tough test as they tackle KCB in a Kenya Cup semi-final tie today.

The winner of the match, scheduled for the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka, will battle for Kenya Cup honours with either Kabras Sugar or Mwamba next weekend.

Quins have failed to beat KCB in the last five meetings with their last triumph over the bankers having come in January 2016.

The Charles Cardovillis coached-side head to the match knowing they must put up an extraordinary show if they are to oust the six-time Kenya Cup champions.

Quins progressed to the semi-finals with a 29-24 win over Impala Saracens while KCB received a bye to the last four by virtue of finishing second in the standings during the regular season.

“We have been focusing on playing through our patterns and making sure we are able to execute well. If we can do that then we should be able to beat any side,” Quins coach Charles Cardovillis said following their semi-final win.

Cardovillis will continue to miss the services of his talismanic winger William Ambaka who has seen a metatarsal injury ruled him out this season.

“KCB will be a tough task because they are defending champions. We will be analysing our past match against them and see if we can get the perfect combinations that can hurt them,” said Cardovillis.

KCB, who are reeling from their shock Enterprise Cup elimination last weekend, have made two changes to their starting line up. Kenya U-20 halfback Samuel Asati and Isaac Njoroge have been handed a start, replacing Michael Wanjala and Vincent Onyala at scrum-half and full back.

In Kakamega, Mwamba will be out to upset the form book when they face a Kabras side that has made their backyard a fortress this season. 

The match will see Mwamba return to the semifinals for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign and they will be looking up to Collins Injera to inspire them against a side that has beaten them thrice in the last six meetings.

Injera, alongside Kabras’ Ugandan import Philip Wokorach, are the current joint top try scorers in the division, having grounded the ball 23 times.

Meanwhile, promotion race to the Kenya Cup in the KRU Championship has started with four sides set to battle for the two slots.