Ian Minjire has made it to the Resolution Impala Saracens starting XV this weekend. Minjire, who has been busy with the Kenya 7s returned to club training today an aggressive tower of confidence. He replaces full-back Vincent Mose who will not be involved in any rugby this weekend due to personal commitments. The remainder of the backline remains unchanged. Onsomu is at scrumhalf, Nato at fly-half. Mayar stays at the left wing. Makiya, who was MoTM last weekend against Kisii after scoring a hatrick starts on the right. Inside centre- Ishmael Mokaya, who scored a brace on his Kenya Cup debut last weekend will start in his first ever Ngong Road Derby this weekend. He partners outside centre Billy Omondi who has stood the test of time.
One change has been made to the front row. James Kubasu is unavailable for duty this weekend. Dennis Karani, the experienced prop who started off the bench last weekend is a definite fit in the number 1 jersey. Davis Makori & Rainer Omondi continue their partnership at the second row. A highly conditioned back row has been announced for this specific duel. Although Tyson Okoth starts off the bench, the technical bench is very confident in Harritone Munai’s ball carrying and stopping power at blind-side flank.
As at today, Resolution Impala Saracens stand 3rd with 20 points. Kenya Harlequins are 5th with 17 points. This match is a must win for the Gazelles if they are keen on securing a comfortable play-off spot. Statistics show that the last time the Gazelles beat Kenya Harlequins in a Kenya Cup Ngong Road Derby was on 22nd November 2014. After losing home 10-28 and away 26-36 in the Kenya Cup competition last season, the Gazelles grew sharper horns in the Enterprise Cup & gored the Quin 25-15 at the Quarters, proving that the opponent can indeed be beaten. This will be the first time Resolution Impala Saracens Head Coach – Frank Ndong’ & Backs Coach – Oscar Osir face Kenya Harlequin in a Kenya Cup match. The last time they prepared the Gazelles to take on Quins, they won. We’ll let you find out when.
Starting XV
1. Dennis Karani
2. Daniel Ndome
3. Anthony Orege
4. Davis Makori
5. Rainer Omondi
6. Harritone Munai
7. Paul Mutsami
8. Duncan Ekasi
9. Samson Onsomu (c)
10. Nato Simiyu
11. Derrick Mayar
12. Ishmael Mokaya
13. Billy Omondi
14. Timothy Makiya
15. Ian Minjire
Replacements
16. Kelvins Karani
17. Kelvins Ronoh
18. Erick Kopondo
19. Tyson Okoth
20. Xavier Bett
21. Samuel Motari
22. Quinto Ongo
23. Joshua Momanyi
