Africa-Press – Kenya. The race for the final two Kenya Cup playoff spot intensifies on Saturday as the league enters the penultimate round.
Eight points separate five clubs Nondies (23), Blak Blad (19), Mwamba (19), Nakuru (18) and Strathmore (15) in the race for positions five and six after the league phase.
In-form Nondies, who lie fifth on the log, make the short trip to Rift Valley to take on a resurgent Nakuru, who are eighth.
Nondies ended Blak Blad’s unbeaten home record last weekend with a gritty 22-10 win and coach Callum Oliver believes his charges have the momentum to snatch one of the two playoff spots.
“We are in a good space right now since the boys are playing well. Nakuru will be a tough test now that they are also chasing a playoff spot. But if we do the basics right and play in the right areas of the pitch, I believe we will win,” said Oliver.
Oliver’s game plan will revolve around the forwards and will rely on the likes of skipper Steven Odhiambo, Brian Amaitsa and Boniface Amimo.
In the backs, the lively Ian Mumbwani starts at flyhalf and will be one to watch alongside Sankara Wafula, Nyaenya Moseti and Dominic Osino — who starts at fullback.
Nakuru, winners of the Kenya Cup in 2012 and 2013, look revitalised. Playing in front of their fans could make them dangerous for the White Shirts.
The Rift Valley-based side will rely on long-serving skipper Edwins Makori, Phillip Kwame and Emmanuel Mboya up front.
Victor Matiko Junior, Phillip Okeyo and Fredrick Odongo will be the key actors in the backs.
Mwamba, who lie seventh on the log, have an easy tie against winless Homeboyz at the RFUEA ground.
Following a bonus point win against Kisumu RFC last weekend, a similar result against the deejays will put the Black Shirts in the driver’s seat for the playoffs.
Strathmore Leos have a mathematical chance of finishing in the playoff positions but will have to pray results go their way when they host relegation-threatened Catholic Monks in a varsity derby in Madaraka
Blak Blad host champions Kabras at Kenyatta University while second-placed KCB battle Menengai Oilers in Nakuru. Quins are in the lakeside face Kisumu RFC.
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