Africa-Press – Kenya. Menengai Oilers face Nondies in a mouth-watering encounter at Ngong Racecourse, a match that could decide who gets into the Kenya Cup playoff positions.
The Nakuru-based outfit enhanced their hopes of a playoff position with a bonus point 33-12 victory over Mwamba on Wednesday to solidify third spot 26 points.
Coach Gibson Weru — whose charges have won the last three matches — expects a tough outing against Nondies, who are on a four-match winning streak.
“It will be a tough game since both teams are in good form and there is a lot at stake. I would like us to show our quality,” said Weru.
Key players for the visitors will include Dalmas Chituyi, Kelvin Mukoyani, skipper Clinton Odhiambo in their forwards with Andrew Odero, Timothy Okwemba, Harold Ojango and Davis Nyaundi the pick of the backs.
After a slow start to the campaign, Nondies have gathered momentum and beat Impala 19-15 in a rescheduled midweek match after a 21-10 win over Nakuru, 34-13 win against Blak Blad and 18-5 win over Quins in the past three weeks.
The White Shirts have three games in hand and will fancy their chances of making the playoffs for the first time in more than two decades.
They currently lie sixth on the log with 18 points. Nondies key players for this showdown will include Ian Njenga, Fidel Oloo and Steve Odhiambo in the forward pack with flyhalf Kanyiri Kariuki the key actor in the backline alongside Ian Mumbwani, Victor Rogena and Charles Odhiambo.
Quins have a date with Nakuru at 2 pm as they chase a playoff spot.
In other fixtures, Impala make the long trip to Nandi to face Kabras — keen to revive their fortunes after two straight losses to KCB and Nondies. They must Saturday’s match and the final group phase game against Blak Blad in order to qualify for the playoffs.
Masinde Muliro University host Strathmore Leos at Nandi Bears in an early kickoff.
