Fourth meets first in match day 8 of the 2023/24 Kenya Cup season, as Kenya Harlequin host Kabras Sugar on Saturday.
Quins come into this clash with six wins and one loss from their seven outings to date and will be out to provide the sternest test yet to leaders and defending champions Kabras Sugar who have won all of their seven outings to date, securing bonus points in each of these victories.
Head Coach Paul Murunga has gone for an experienced backrow led by captain Herman Humwa, former Kabras man Charlton Mokua and Uganda international Mark Omoding as he looks to slow down Kabras’ tempo in the forwards. Cornelius Mokoro, whose 18 points steered Quins to a 33-16 win over Menengai Oilers last weekend starts again at scrum, and it will be interesting to see how his duel with Kabras Sugar’s Brian Tanga turns out.
Kabras’ Head Coach Carlos Katywa reintroduces Smbas captain George Nyambua into the backrow where he will link up with William Mwanji and Jeanson Misoga. There is also a return for Kenya Cup joint top try scorer Derrick Ashihundu who starts at outside center.
Overall, this will be the 13th Kenya Cup clash between the sides, Kabras currently leading the head to head stats 10-2 and enjoying a 7 match winning streak since 11 March 2017 when Quins last defeated them 19-13 in Kakamega.
Kenya Harlequin Starting XV: 15. Richel Wangila, 14. Charles Kinyanjui, 13. Jan Remke, 12. Paul Mutsami, 11. Zedden Marrow, 10. Evin Asena, 9. Cornelius Mokoro, 1. Mohamed Khaider, 2. Adam Mugo, 3. Abel Matanda, 4. Mike Onsando, 5. Sheldon Kahi, 6. Charlton Mokua, 7. Herman Humwa, 8. Mark Omoding
Replacements: 16. Clinton Kaisai, 17. Ian Njenga, 18. Mike Mugo, 19. Laban Kipsang, 20. Brighton Mwalawa, 21. Patrick Wainaina, 22. Leon Nyang, 23. Wiseman Aganya
Kabras Sugar: 15. Ntabeni Dukisa, 14. Mathias Osimbo, 13. Derrick Ashihundu, 12. Walter Okoth, 11. Lameck Ambetsa, 10. Barry Robinson, 9. Brian Tanga, 1. Edward Mwaura, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Ephraim Oduor, 4. David Bunduki, 5. Brian Juma, 6. William Mwanji, 7. George Nyambua, 8. Jeanson Misoga
Replacements: 16 Teddy Akala, 17. Emmanuel Otieno, 18. Asuman Mugerwa, 19. Patrick Lumumba, 20. Kevin Wekesa, 21. Dan Ang’wech, 22. Brian Mutua, 23. Alfred Orege
Previous Meetings
Quins 10- 27 Kabras | 14 Feb 2015 | RFUEA
Quins 19-17 Kabras | 28 Nov 2015 | RFUEA
Kabras 41-17 Kabras | 9 Jan 2016 | Kakamega
Quins 15-19 Kabras | 30 Apr 2016 | RFUEA*
Kabras 13-19 Quins | 11 March 2017 | Kakamega
Kabras 22-13 Quins | 13 Jan 2018 | Kakamega
Quins 3-21 Kabras | 9 Feb 2019 | RFUEA
Kabras 34-3 Quins | 18 Jan 2020 | Kakamega
Quins 5-43 Kabras | 20 Mar 2021 | RFUEA
Kabras 31-6 Quins | 22 Jan 2022 | Kakamega
Kabras 27-10 Quins | 10 Dec 2022 | Kakamega
Kabras 22-8 Quins | 4 March 2023 | Kakamega*
