Strathmore Leos head into Kenya Cup match day looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 17-48 mauling at the hands of Menengai Cream Homeboyz at the Impala Club. Their match day two opponents, SportPesa Quins were rampant in the 47-8 demolition of Blak Blad at the RFUEA Ground and will be out to make it two wins from two as the new season continues to take shape ahead of the playoffs.
The Leos suffered a massive loss of playing personnel in the off-season, a good chunk of their players decamping to Homeboyz with Impala and Nondies amongst the other beneficiaries. The effects of this exodus were evident last weekend, the Leos are in a rebuilding phase and were always second best.
Mitch Ocholla has indeed made eight changes to the side that started last weekend’s opening day fixture, notable inclusions for the Leos including the resilient second row combination of Michael Gitau and George Ndemi who will be tasked with winning the ball in the lineouts and to lock a stable scrum. Their collective strength and aggression will be required to provide the grunt to the forwards against a very competitive Quins pack.
The most telling of Ocholla’s changes are in the backline, totally switching around his halfback and midfield combinations as he seeks to neuter the threat from Isaac Adimo and his band of Quins backline marauders.
The Leos will have to be competitive in every facet of the match if they harbour ambitions of pulling off a win against Quins.