T. NashipaeKCB Rugby confident of Floodies title despite missing key players
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 27.10.23. | 16:57
Some of their key players are out on residential camp with Kenya Simbas
Impala Floodlights defending champions KCB Rugby will be aiming to retain their title when they lock horns with Nondies RFC on Saturday, October 28, at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
The Bankers will be operating without the services of some of their vintage players, like scrum half Brian Wahinya, Wilhite Mususi, Thomas Okidia, Peter Waitere, Griffin Musila, Peter Kilonzo, and Emmanuel Silungi, who are out on training with Kenya Simbas.
The Simbas are currently at a residential camp in Kakamega, sharpening their claws ahead of the Victoria and Elgon Cups.
Another notable missing player is their forward, Davis Chenge, a former Kenya 15s international who sustained a hamstring injury during their semifinal duel against the Menengai Oilers last weekend.
The Bankers’ assistant coach, Mariko Mshila, pointed out that they were anticipating a nail-biting final against Nondies RFC. The final will be a repeat of the 2022 Impala Floodlights, where KCB saw off the Whiteshirts 20-3 to lift the title. The Lions will be on the hunt for their 10th consecutive Floodies title.
"In every competition we participate in, our objective is always to win and make history as the most successful club in Kenya. This is a repeat of last year’s final, and we know Nondies will come hard at us having rested their key players in the semi-finals. Their confidence is high, so we look forward to a thrilling match. Our boys are also high in confidence and upbeat ahead of this duel,” Mshila offered.
The tactician also refused to be carried away by their success in past tournaments, noting that they are looking at the present.
“Last year is history. We are only looking at the present, and we will be going for nothing short of a win to give us momentum ahead of the Kenya Cup season next month,” Mshila noted.
To proceed to the final stage, the Bankers defeated former National 7s Circuit defending champions Menengai Oilers 41-21, while Nondies RFC managed a hard-fought 20-14 win over Blak Blad in the second semifinal.
The finals will be curtain-raised with a ladies’ final featuring Impala RFC and Mwamba RFC, while the
Impala RFC men’s team and Strathmore Leos face off in the Division One category final.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) will lock horns with United States International University (USIU) in the final curtain-raiser match.
Rugby fans can also look forward to watching the Rugby World Cup finals pitting New Zealand (the All Blacks) and defending champions South Africa (the Springboks) in what will be a clash of the ages.
Order of play
2:30 pm: Ladies' action (Impala RFC vs. Mwamba RFC)
4:10 pm: Div 1 challenge action (Impala RFC vs. Strathmore Leos)
5:50 pm: Varsities final (JKUAT vs. USIU)
7:30 pm: Main Cup action (KCB Rugby vs. Nondescripts)
