Impala face KCB, Homeboyz tackle Strathmore in Enterprise Cup semis
Impala Saracens will be seeking revenge when they face Kenya Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in the Enterprise Cup semi-finals in Ruaraka on Saturday evening.
In the other semis, after tossing out defending champions Nakuru, Homeboyz will hope to uphold their fairytale run when they take on Strathmore at the same venue.
The match between KCB and Impala will be a repeat of last year’s semis which the bankers won 31-14 before losing 18-13 to Nakuru in the final. In Kenya Cup this season, Impala lost to KCB 0-18.
Impala waylaid Western Bulls 37-23 in Kakamega for a semis date with KCB, who edged out Kenya Harlequin 13-8 a fortnight ago.
“We are not eying revenge per se but we are only hopeful of playing better than last time. If I say we are going for revenge then we are likely to corrupt our systems with unwarranted pressure,” said Impala technical official Nick Abok.
“Our mission is to play better than we did the last time we met KCB in this tournament.”
Abok said even though its not an easy feat to have three teams featuring in each of the semis finals of the Enterprise Cup, Mwamba Cup Division I and II, it shows that there systems are growing hence a team to beat in the near future.
Impala II will take on Blak Blad II in Mwamba Cup Division I while Impala III are up against University of Eldoret in Division III.
CAUTIOUS APPROACH
Speaking on his expectation against KCB, Abok said a team that will have its pistons pumping well at the set-pieces will carry the day.
“You get it right at the breakdowns and your work is done,” said Abok, who is unlikely to change his squad.
The 11 time-champions Impala last won the diadem in 2005 when they beat Mwamba 24-19 but their last Cup final appearance was in 2011 where they lost to Quins 3-10.
KCB forwards coach Dennis Mwanja said they will approach Impala with lot of caution.
“Impala have of late improved with every game even in the Kenya Cup,” said Mwanja.
“But we have the confidence after coming from behind in tough matches to win.”
Mwanja predicted victory for the team that will play well at set-pieces and breakdown.
“It will be hard for them to catch up if we score first and take them head-on in open play where they are strong,” said Mwanja. “They will be in deep trouble if they won’t stop our maul.”
Mwanja has made only one replacement from the team that humbled Quins, bringing in Collins Wanjala for injured winger Peter Kilonzo.
KCB’s pack of Max Adaka, Philip Wamae, Oliver Mang’eni, John Ahenda, Curtis Lilako, Peter Karia and Moses Amusala will come up against Impala’s Paul Oimbo, Eric Kere, Joel Omer, Duncan Ekasi and Kevin Munene.
Enterprise Cup semis:
KCB vs Impala – (KCB Sports Club-4pm)
Homeboyz v Strathmore – (KCB Sports Club-2pm)
Mwamba Cup Division 1 semis:
KCB II vs Blak Blad II – (KCB Sports Club-12pm)
Kabras II vs Impala II – (Kakamega Show Ground-4pm)
Mwamba Cup Division 2 semis:
Impala III vs University of Eldoret – (Impala Club-2pm)
MKU Thika vs South Coast Pirates – (Happy Valley-3pm)