The Central Rift Valley city of Nakuru comes alive this weekend when two time Kenya Cup champions Nakuru welcome city rivals Menengai Oilers for the seventh installment of Kenya Cup’s Nakuru Derby at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
The two sides come into this clash in varying form, hosts Nakuru currently placed sixth on the log with a win,a draw and a defeat from their opening three outings, collecting 8 points in the process
Visiting Oilers come into this clash placed fourth on the log, having registered three bonus point wins from their three outings to date, accumulating 15 points in the process.
As has been the case previously, Saturday’s clash promises to be as intriguing as ever, given the sibling rivalry that exists between the two sides in their pursuit for city bragging rights.
Beldad Ogeta has been in imperious form for the Oilers, scoring a league leading 6 tries, and should he get quality ball on Saturday, will be threat to the Nakuru defenders.
Other key players for the Oilers will be Simbas lock Ibrahim Ayoo, Elkeans Musonye,young wing Alvin Khavoli and Andrew Odero.
Key for Nakuru, who will be playing in front of their home fans, will be loose forward Felix Okoth as well as Philip Okeyo and Chris ant Ojwang as the Wanyore look to preserve their unbeaten home record against the Oilers.
As mentioned earlier, Saturday’s clash will be the seventh Kenya Cup clash between the two sides since the Oilers promotion to the top tier for the 2018/19, a clash that Nakuru won 46-37 on 16 February 2019 at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
The two sides would again meet during the suspended 2019/20 season, Oilers winning that match 31-5 on 26 October 2019 at the Nakuru Showground before Nakuru turned the tables in the return match on 25 January 2020 at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
The fourth meeting saw Oilers win 21-20 at the Nakuru Showground on 13 March 2021 before Nakuru pulled off the 13-8 win at NAC on 26 February 2022,a result that played a big role in saving them from relegation.
The last meeting between the two sides took place on 7 Janaury 2023, Oilers defeating Nakuru 25-18 at the Nakuru Showground.
Previous Meetings
Nakuru 46-37 Menengai Oilers | Nakuru Athletic Club | 16 February 2019
Menengai Oilers 31-5 Nakuru | Nakuru Showground | 26 October 2019
Nakuru 19-17 Menengai Oilers | Nakuru Athletic Club | 25 January 2020
Menengai Oilers 21-20 Nakuru | Nakuru Showground | 13 March 2021
Nakuru 13-8 Menengai Oilers | Nakuru Athletic Club | 26 February 2022
Menengai Oilers 25-18 Nakuru | Nakuru Showground | 7 January 2023