The ultimate preliminaries weekend of Kenya Cup is finally here! It has been 18 gruelling rounds of action and this pre-playoff 19th sees Resolution Impala Saracens, 2nd on the log, host the Strathmore Leos who sit 7th.
“We haven’t beaten Strathmore in the league since 2011. At this point, our pre-season 32-3 wn at Impala Floodlit doesn’t count,” says the Sarries captain Duncan Ekasi.
“We’ve ticked alot of boxes so far and will be keen to add this one in the run up to the playoffs”
Director of Rugby Fred Ollows has made four changes to the starting lineup.
“Knee injuries to Bill Omondi (centre) during the Nondies match, and Ian Minjire (winger), on Tuesday, at training, have seen us introduce Israel Soi and Lameck Dunde respectively,” says Ollows. “They are enjoying good form and so should fit in easily”
In other changes to the run on team Erick Kerre comes in for Simon Muniafu at the lock position while Kenya international Vincent Mose returns to fullback, in place of last week’s debutant Mark Kwemoi. Muniafu sits on the bench while Kwemoi is uninvolved.
“Mose has been in a race for fitness after having been out of the country on work commitments. He’s a competitive international athlete and fully ready for the step up. We note too that Kwemoi had a good debut and we’ll certainly be seeing more of him”
Scrum half Samson Onsomu, prop Edgar Obino and and centre Brian Otieno enter the replacements bench this weekend.
The match kicks off at Impala Club at 4pm.
STARTING XV
Stephen Juma, Kelvins Karani, Dennis Karani, Davis Makori, Erick Kerre, Tyson Okoth, Paul Mutsami, Duncan Ekasi, Mohammed Omollo, Nato Simiyu, Lameck Dunde, Innocent Simiyu, Israel Soi, Kevin Ochami, Vincent Mose.
REPLACEMENTS
Daniel Ndome, Edgar Obino, Simon Muniafu, Joel Omer, Samson Onsomu, Anthony Nyandigisi, Brian Otieno, Meshack Tunechi
