There will be scores to settle, and records to set straight when KCB host Pan Africa Strathmore Leos in an Enterprise Cup semifinal encounter at the Impala Club on Saturday 11 June 2016.
KCB, the reigning Kenya Cup champions, suffered a 25-27 Kenya Cup loss to the Leos on Saturday 12 December 2015 and are motivated to top the Leos by settling that score and in the process book a ticket to a third successive Enterprise Cup final.
The Leos will on the other hand be out to prove that the Jamhuri Day result (incidentally their first ever win over the bankers in the Kenya Cup) was no flash in the pan as they look to end the bankers title defense and set up a date in next weekend’s title against the winner of the Kabras Sugar- Resolution Impala Saracens semifinal taking place concurrently in Kakamega.
KCB,stopped Blak Bkad 36-8 in the quarterfinal on Saturday 28 May while the Leos set up this date with a 32-13 win over former champions Top fry Nakuru.
Both sides come into this fixture shorn of their leading lights who have been knocked out by national team commitments in the sevens and fifteens versions of the game but still have quality player pools to serve up thrills and excitement to the fans watching the game at the venue and television.
The bankers are without their preferred front row trio of Moses Amusala, Peter Karia, Curtis Lilako, lock Oliver Mang’eni and utility back Darwin Mukidza who are away with the Kenya Simbas and Andrew Amonde who is with Kenya Sevens . The Leos are minus Tony Owuor, Brian Nyikuli and Tony Owuor who are also away with the Kenya Simbas while Billy Odhiambo and Alex Olaba’s commitments with Kenya Sevens keep them out of this clash.
So, what’s in store? Potentially exciting battles, more so in the forwards. Set piece play aside, both sets of forwards will rely on their decision making and technical skill set to dominate the battle of the breakdown.
The battle of the backs is equally primed to deliver thrills, one potential match up should put KCB’s James Kilonzo against the Leos’ Churchill Ooko. Both lads have been in good form and influential for their sides during the recently ended Kenya Cup, can they carry their form into the Enterprise Cup? They boast a similar style of play, both lethal on attack, decent in defense.
All in all, it should be an interesting clash and fans can also catch the action on Zuku Sports,K24 and zuku.co.ke/live
Line Ups
KCB
15. Elphas Otieno, 14. Collins Wanjala, 13. James Kilonzo, 12. Ken Moseti, 11, Peter Kilonzo, 10. Billy Isabwa, 9. Mickey Wanjala, 1. Oscar Simiyu, 2. George Asin, 3. George Gichure, 4. Francis Mwita, 5. John Ahenda, 6. Griffin Musila, 7. Peter Waitere, 8. Rocky Aguko
Replacements 16. Benson Ndung’u, 17. Derrick Odhiambo, 18. Calvin Sule, 19. Edwin Otieno, 20. Marlin Mukolwe, 21. Kenny Andola, 22. Arthur Ochieng, 23. Edwin Salamba
Pan Africa Strathmore Leos
15. George Orembo, 14. John Oduk, 13. Churchill Ooko, 12. Patrick Handa, 11. Ginton Adongo, 10. Ian Lumwaji, 9. Dennis Juma, 1. Eric Kioko, 2. Teddy Dondi, 3. John Okwara, 4. Michael Gitau, 5. Charles Omondi, 6. Elton Isiaho, 7. Adrian Opondo, 8. Gabriel Adero
Replacements 16: Mugambi Kithamba, 17. Cecil Jamwa, 18. Barry Guda, 19. Teddy Agutu, 20. Carlwilliams Odhiambo, 21. Eugene Nzioka, 22. Brian Alukwe, 23. Kanyiri Kariuki