The Impala Saracens Gazelles go head to head with the KCB Lions in a ‘race of the savannah’ encounter. The potentially scintillating match shall be played at 4pm today at the Impala Club.
Impala Gazelles, who powered to an 18-16 win against defending champions Mwamba RFC, shall be keen on solidifying their forward play and boot accuracy. They face a Lions outfit well recognized for brute physicality and sheer athleticism. These saw them run over a hapless Lunch Bar Quins last weekend.
Team Coach, Eric Situma has fired up his charges, despite the match postponement last week. The Ruaraka Lions were unavailable owing to the burial of fallen KCB backrow- Anthony Ochino. “The postponing provided an opportunity for key players like Scrumhalf Moses Kola and outside centre, Lameck Dunde to recover from injury”
Going into this fight, team captain Duncan Ekasi believes his regiment would fire on all cannons. “We have to deny KCB the forward ball. I believe our backs are well placed at breaking defences than theirs are at defending. This game shall be lost and won at the first 8″
The team
An experienced tighthead Robert Kweya together with the consistent Kelvins Karani (hooker) and Chege Ezekiel are at the front row. The scrum is stabilized and shoved forward by a highly experienced pair of Oimbo Paul and Kopondo Erick. Omer Joel, Okari Felix and Ekasi lurk in the backrow. Matei Anthony, who at the moment is fitter compared to veteran number 9 Moses Kola, starts at scrumhalf. He pairs up with the on form Simiyu Linus at flyhalf.
Sidindi ‘Jadha’ Richard runs at blindside winger while Nyandigisi Anthony and Lameck Dunde are in the midfield. Quinto Odhiambo appears to have cemented his position on the open side wing. His runs shall be complemented by the line breaking prowess of fullback Minjire Ian.
The bench
The Impala Saracens technical bench savors a solid variety of who to introduce tactically or for injury. Notable figures starting from the bench include: Karani Dennis, Ouko John, Oyugi Anthony, Kola Moses and Koome Anampiu. Also sitting on the bench is Waithumbi Martin, Soi Israel and Chogo Collins.
