RESOLUTION Impala Saracens has returned Samuel Motari and Nato Simiyu to the starting Gazelles line up as inside centre and fullback, this weekend, against Nondescripts RUFC.
Motari who has been away due to work commitments, and then picked up a groin injury last week, comes back to bolster a side that needs to replace Seje Owade after an unfortunate concussion, after a collision with international Mwamba blindside winger Collins Injera last weekend.
Nato Simiyu returned to action last weekend, after long work commitment but started off the bench in the Impala 40-33 win against Mwamba. The experienced international fly-half is expected to add steel to the Gazelle backline. Robin Kiplang’at, who played at full-back 7 days ago starts off the bench.
Fly half Mohammed Omollo has been superb at 10 and continues his partnership with international scrumhalf Samson Onsomu. Onsomu will captain the side again this weekend.
“Our matches versus Nondies are always competitive. They typically aim to slow down the pace of our play and hog possession of their ball,” says Fred Ollows, Impala Saracens’ Director of Rugby.
“There will be an exciting battle at the forwards front and we expect centres Dennis Ombachi and Benjamin Marshall to run at us in the middle.
We are ready for this challenge that includes a trophy”
An Impala – Nondies Kenya Cup match means battle for the Samson ‘Chums’ Odhiambo Memorial Trophy. Impala retained it in the first leg beating Nondies 37-22. The match guest, at Impala Club, was Wallaby legend David Campese. This match will also honour the recently fallen Ogeto Gecheo who was Impala Academy captain before moving to Nondies. Ogeto succumbed to injury after Nondies’ Kenya Cup match with Strathmore Leos in 2016.
It is Ogeto’s passing on that necessitated the postponement of this fixture to this weekend.
Nondies sit eighth with 20 points on the Kenya Cup log having played 11 matches. Impala has played an equal number of matches but is fifth with 40 points. Impala could enter the top 4 bracket with a win here with the chase for playoff positions heating up.
Starting XV
1 James Kubasu
2 Kelvins Karani
3 Anthony Orege
4 Davis Makori
5 Simon Muniafu
6 Joel Omer (VC)
7 Tyson Okoth
8 Paul Mutsami
9 Samson Onsomu (C)
10 Mohammed Omollo
11 Derrick Mayar
12 Samuel Motari
13 Anthony Nyandigisi
14 Leon Adongo
15 Nato Simiyu
Replacements
16 Daniel Ndome
17 Stephen Jum
18 Dennis Karani
19 Erick Kerre
20 Duncan Ekasi
21 Robin Kiplang’at
22 David Dinda
23 Brian Opar
