Rai Derby highlights Kenya Cup week nine action

The Rai Derby featuring Kenya Cup champions Kabras RFC and Menengai Oilers slated for the Nakuru Agricultural Showground on Saturday, March 1 is the main highlight as Kenya Cup nears the tail end. The other five matches are also penciled for different parts of the country.

Menengai Oilers vs Kabras RFC – Nakuru ASK

Both teams head to this clash as wounded lions. The Oilers are coming off a narrow 29-27 victory over KCB Rugby in week-eight action. The Gibson Weru-coached outfit had the game until the last minutes of the game when Erick Miheso scored the winning try for the Bankers.

This time, the Oilers will be enjoying home advantage. They have also reinforced their squad with Dennis Abukuse, who is fresh from international duty with Kenya Sevens.

The likes of Amos Obaeh will also be key in strengthening the squad.

Kabras RFC come to this clash keen to pick a victory and return to the top of the table. Last weekend, their narrow 7-3 victory over Nondies RFC saw them drop to second on the log behind KCB Rugby. They will be keen to amass as many points as possible to boost their chances of hosting a home final.

Coach Carlos Kyatwa has fielded a strong squad, which features all players who are fresh from international duty.

Kevin Wekesa, reliable fullback Jone Kubu, Brian Tanga, William Mwanji, and Jackson Siketa are all in the star-studded squad.

Nondies RFC vs South Coast Pirates – Ngong Racecourse

Nondies who are fresh from causing upset at the ASK Kakamega Showground will lock horns with relegation-threatened South Coast Pirates in a do-or-die match for the latter. The Pirates will be hoping to secure a win to boost their survival chances.

This is the match for them to win, as next weekend they will welcome the Menengai Oilers, and picking points from the well-oiled Oilers will be an uphill task.

They are currently placed at the bottom of the log after two wins out of the nine matches played.

Nondies RFC, on the other hand, are oozing confidence after an impressive run last weekend where they denied Kabras RFC points to score. The match ended 7-3 in favor of Kabras, but Nondies will not be out to play.

KCB Rugby vs Impala RFC – KCB Sports Club

The Bankers will be out to extend their fine run when they welcome the Gazelles at the Lions Den. They have not tasted a loss this season, with their latest win being a 29-27 victory over the Menengai Oilers. Historically, the clash pitting KCB and Impala is always a derby, owing to the clubs’ rich histories.

Impala RFC, on the other hand, head to this clash buoyed by their win over Mwamba RFC in week eight action. They will be out to look for a win.

Kenya Harlequin vs Kisumu RFC – RFUEA Grounds

The Quins will welcome Kisumu RFC in an exciting fixture at the RFUEA Grounds. The Quins are confident after their victory over the South Coast Pirates, which saw them end their four-match losing streak. They will be hoping to win all the remaining matches as they seek a playoff spot, and not even hapless Kisumu RFC can stop them.

Blak Blad vs Strathmore Leos – Blad Bin

Strathmore Leos will make a short trip to Thika Road to lock horns with Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in the much anticipated student derby.

The Leos narrowly lost 23-22 to Nakuru RFC in Kenya Cup week eight action while Blak Blad secured a win over Kisumu RFC, making it a mouth-watering clash.

Nakuru RFC vs Mwamba RFC – Nakuru Athletic Club

Both teams are battling relegation, making this a very competitive match. Nakuru RFC are placed second-last on the log with nine points while Mwamba RFC are 10th on the 12-team table with 10 points. Nakuru narrowly won their Kenya Cup Week eight match against Strathmore while Mwamba RFC lost to Impala RFC. All teams will be looking for a win to survive the Kenya Cup.

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Saturday, 1 March 2025

KCB Rugby v Impala RFC- KCB Sports Club

Menengai Oilers v Kabras Sugar- Nakuru ASK

Nondescripts v South Coast Pirates- Ngong Racecourse

Kenya Harlequin FC v Kisumu RFC – RFUEA Grounds

K.U Blak Blad v Strathmore Leos – Kenyatta University

Nakuru RFC v Mwamba RFC – Nakuru Athletic Club