USIU forfeit Kenya Cup return dream
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 04.02.21. | 12:02
University management withdraws rugby team from scheduled promotion play-off to put off chance of early return to Kenya's top-flight scene
A late withdrawal by one contestant from the Kenya Cup play-offs slated for this Saturday has dampened spirts after days of high anticipation among rugby enthusiasts.
United States International University (USIU) Martials’ dream of returning to Kenya’s top-flight rugby division next season suffered a deathly blow after the management made a decision to withdraw the team from play-offs.
USIU Martials were drawn against Northern Suburbs in the second quarterfinals from which the winner would go on to slug it out with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) for promotion to the coveted Kenya Cup.
However, the management of USIU on Thursday morning informed Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) of their decision to pull out of the play-offs. Consequently, USIU Martials forfeit the match leaving Northern Suburbs with a clear path to face MMUST on 13th February for promotion berth.
The management was not available for comment but it is widely thought that the decision was made to shield student from potentially contracting the dreaded Corona virus.
KRU simply said: “The other play-off fixture pitting another former Kenya Cup side, USIU Martials and Northern Suburbs will not be played following USIU’s withdrawal from the competition. As a result, Suburbs are through to the next round of the qualifiers.”
In the first quarterfinal, Nairobi University’s Mean Machine will play Egerton Wasps at the UON grounds on Saturday evening. Winner of the only quarterfinal contest will play Strathmore Leos on 13th February for the all-important ticket.
Fans have been barred from the UON grounds where the contest will be staged. KRU said the Covid-19 situation was still dicey and the government is yet to give the greenlights for a return of fans. “In adherence with Covid 19 protocols, no fans will be allowed into the match venue,” said KRU
The play-offs will promptly by followed by a mouth-watering curtain raiser between bigwigs KCB and Kabras, respective winners of last season’s Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup on 20th February 2020. The curtain raiser will then pave way for Kenya Cup to commence on the last weekend of themonth.
