Defending champions KCB are up against the side they beat to the 2015 title, Menengai Cream Homeboyz in an Enterprise Cup semifinal clash that will be played at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka.
The bankers, who began their campaign with a 49-6 quarterfinal win over Blak Blad, lost to the same opponent in Kenya Cup action, losing 24-33 at the same venue on 18 February 2017, and, without 12 regulars who are away on national fifteens and sevens duty, will have to dig deep to register a result over the deejays and march into the final. Curtis Olago’s charges are certainly capable of pulling off this feat as they seek to reach the final and win a third title on the trot. Key players for the bankers will include forwards Oliver Mang’eni, Curtis Lilako, Nick Ongeri, Jimmy Kilonzo and Brian Omondi.
Paul Murunga’s Homeboyz also come into this match missing several dependables who are equally engaged with national team duty but they will not be deterred from their quest to reach a second Enterprise Cup final. They started their campaign with a 32-20 pre-quarterfinal win away to Western Bulls before benefiting from a quarterfinal walkover following Strathmore’s belated withdrawal. Murunga will look to the likes of Max Kang’eri, Alvin Otieno and Leonard Mugaisi to deliver the result and qualification to the cup final.
The fact that it is knockout rugby means that fans and pundits are faced with the possibility of watching unhibited, end to end rugby.