Impala RFC’s Samson Onsumu races to ground a try in their Floodlit quarters with Kenya Harlequins last weekend. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, October 23 – Champions KCB RFC will be inspired by Kenya 15s back Darwin Mukidza as they lock horns with Homeboyz in Saturday’s Impala Floodlit semi-finals along Ngong’ Road.
Veteran Nato Simiyu will lead hosts, Impala against Strathmore Leos in the first semi that will kick off at 5pm.
KCB who were hardly engaged by Mwamba en route to last weekend’s 28-0 quarterfinal win, face a sterner test against the Dejeeys who will be seeking to end the Lions two year dominance.
Mukidza and Felix Wanjala were brilliant at the back while forwards Oliver Mang’eni and Elly Mukaizi were outstanding to help the Lions start their Kenya Cup pre season on a high.
Homeboyz will be buoyed by Joshua Chisanga, Humphrey Mulama, Kelvin Masai and Harun Lubisia who gave them the edge over Nondescript in the quarters.
Impala on the other hand dominated in their 48-17 quarterfinal rout over Kenya Harlequin and will be out to replicate that form against a dogged Leos side that reached the semis with a 17-9 quarterfinal win over Top Fry Nakuru last weekend.
Simiyu, who was the man of the match last weekend, will once again be called upon to wave his magic wand and spur his backline that will probably once gain the impressive Sammy Oliech, Robert Aringo, Kevin Ochami and George Okowa.
Duncan Ekasi will be key in the attack, using all of his leadership and experience to bring out their best as they look to quell the threat posed by the Leos whose forward play against Nakuru was superior.
Players to watch out for on the Leos side include Jared Owinyo, Mike Gitau and Alex Olaba.
These matches will be preceded by the schools and universities semis with Mang’u playing Ofafa Jericho before defending champions Laiser Hill square it out with Moi Forces Academy.
Action will then shift to the Universities where Strathmore will be up against are up against Kenyatta University while USIU face Mean Machine.
