Key clashes expected as Menengai Oilers host KCB Rugby
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Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 27.02.26. | 21:40
The headline duel will unfold on the left wing, where Festus Shiasi comes up against the in-form Alvin Khavoli
The 2025/26 Kenya Cup Week Nine action will deliver one of the season’s most anticipated showdowns as Menengai Oilers host former champions KCB Rugby on Saturday, 28 February at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
The stakes could not be higher.
Both sides remain unbeaten since the season began. The Oilers sit second on the log with 40 points, just ahead of third-placed KCB on 39.
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With only a point separating them, this fixture could significantly influence the title race heading into the decisive stretch of the campaign.
Mozzart Sport takes a look at the key individual battles likely to shape the outcome.
Festus Shiasi vs Alvin Khavoli
The headline duel will unfold on the left wing, where Festus Shiasi comes up against the in-form Alvin Khavoli.
Khavoli made a strong statement off the bench during the Oilers’ emphatic 41–9 victory over Nondies RFC last weekend. Introduced in the second half, he wasted little time making his presence felt, crossing over for two quick tries to cap a dominant team performance.
That explosive cameo not only underlined his attacking instincts but also earned him a deserved spot in the starting lineup for this weekend’s high-stakes encounter.
He benches Dennis Abukuse.
Both players combine blistering pace with physical presence, making this a duel that could ignite the contest at any moment. Their understanding of each other’s tendencies adds an extra tactical layer to what already promises to be a thrilling battle.
Samuel Asati vs Clarkson Keegan
In the engine room of distribution, Samuel Asati faces off with Clarkson Keegan in a contest that could quietly determine the tempo of the match.
Asati is widely regarded as one of the most gifted scrum halves in Kenyan rugby, but Keegan’s defensive organisation and tactical awareness present a stern test. The importance of this duel lies in the very nature of the scrum half’s role.
Operating at the base of scrums and rucks, the scrum half acts as the vital link between forwards and backs, dictating whether play accelerates wide or tightens around the fringes. They control the speed of delivery, decide when to kick for territory, and often serve as the on-field communicator who keeps structures intact.
Should the weather turn rainy, the match is likely to feature more breakdowns and tactical kicking, further amplifying the influence of both number nines. In such conditions, the sharper decision-maker could tilt momentum in his team’s favour.
Brian Wahinya vs Samuel Mwaura
Kenya Simbas’ Brian Wahinya lines up against Samuel Mwaura in a flyhalf battle that may ultimately define the result.
As primary playmakers, fly halves shoulder the responsibility of territorial control and attacking shape. Wahinya’s composure under pressure and Mwaura’s reading of defensive lines will shape how effectively their respective backlines function.
A well-weighted kick or a moment of creative brilliance could prove decisive in what is expected to be a tightly contested affair.
Isaac Njoroge vs Abutwalib Wesonga
KCB welcome back Isaac Njoroge, who returns to the match-day squad in place of seasoned campaigner Levy Amunga.
Njoroge’s accuracy off the tee has been instrumental in KCB’s unbeaten run this season.
His duel with Abutwalib Wesonga could come down to discipline and goal-kicking efficiency. In fixtures of this magnitude, scoreboard pressure often builds incrementally, and reliable kickers frequently separate winners from losers.
William Opaka vs Daniel Kipchirchir
On the right wing, William Opaka and Daniel Kipchirchir promise another electrifying sprint battle.
Kipchirchir has been on a steep upward trajectory since joining the Oilers. Before breaking through at club level, he was part of the Kenya U20 side, Chipu, that made history by winning the 2024 Barthes Cup and securing qualification for the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Scotland.
At Oilers, he quickly proved his worth, playing a central role in the club’s run to their second-ever Kenya Cup final, where they narrowly fell 27-26 to Kabras Sugar in a nerve-wracking contest.
His impact extended into the National 7s Circuit, featuring in all six legs, earning selection in every U20 Dream Team and sealing a place in the overall Dream Team of the tournament.
Opaka, however, brings experience and defensive solidity, setting up a compelling contrast between youthful momentum and seasoned composure.
