NAIROBI, Kenya, May 14- The Bamburi Super Series enters the semifinal stage on Saturday with two clashes at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday afternoon.
SDV Transami Cheetahs face Kampala Coach Victoria from 2pm followed by reigning champions UAP Rhinos taking on Lions from 4 pm at the same venue.
Two-time winners the Cheetahs, who are hoping to win for the first time since 2006, will be overwhelming favourites when they take on the Ugandan franchise which has made its first ever semifinal.
Cheetahs should have Kenya skipper Mike Aung back after he missed last week’s 30-20 victory over the Sharks with food poisoning. Scoring from broken play has been a characteristic of the cats with Vincent Mose the main architect, and the Ugandan side will be wary of the speedy fullback.
Their backrow of Lawrence Buyachi, Paul Oimbo and Grey Cullen is undoubtedly one of the best in the competition, while scrumhalf Mike Mugo will be pushing veteran Moses Kola for the number nine shirt judging by his impact off the bench last week.
Victoria will be looking to make history by becoming the first foreign side to reach the final of the seven-year series. Having lost 33-3 to the Rhinos last week, they will try and bounce back in the best possible way.
In the second game, defending champions Rhinos will again start as favourites. The defending champions have not lost a match yet and the Lions will have to be at their best if they are to pull off an upset.
The tie will have shades of the Kenya Cup final going by the number of Kenya Harlequins players among the Rhinos’ squad and KCB players in the Lions team sheet.
With both teams boasting powerful packs, battle for the ball will be intense.
While the Rhinos boast of Daniel Kiptoo, Vincent Ongera and Joel Nganga leading the charge, the Lions can call on Edwin Alubaka, Anthony Ogot, Edwin Machanje and the rampaging Ken Isindu.
Lions’ flyhalf Jotham Yahuma, who was man of the match two weekends ago in the emphatic victory of the Buffaloes, will again try and dictate play for the
2008 champions.
National sevens team trialist Dennis Muhanji will seek to enhance his burgeoning reputation with another good performance for the Rhinos out wide while Fabian Olando will do the job for the Lions.
