Defending champions KCB and Menengai Oilers face off in the opening semifinal at the Impala Floodlit on Saturday 21 October 2023 at the Impala.
Nine time champions KCB reached the last four with a 45-0 victory over Kenya Harlequin last weekend. They were clinical in achieving that result but will have to contend with a Menengai Oilers side who will definitely pose a different type of threat to the bankers. The Oilers reached the semis with an equally clinical 53-15 victory over hosts Impala.
Both sides have tweaked their lineups for today’s clash, the bankers starting youngster Michael Wamalwa on the wing ahead of William Opaka who is rested for this fixture.
The Oilers have made three changes to last weekend’s match day squad. Elkeans Musonye starts at number eight, replacing Jardon Abdon who played at blindside flank last weekend against hosts Impala. Abdon drops to the bench. Other changes see Kenya Sevens players John Okoth and Beldad Ogeta recalled.
Ogeta replaces Herbert Ochieng on the left wing while John Okoth slots into midfield alongside former Kenya international Johnstone Mung’au. Okoth displaces Steve Arunga who drops to the bench.
We do expect some interesting match ups, most notably the midfield battle pitting KCB’s Kilonzo and Muhati against Okoth and Mung’au on the Oilers side.
Line Ups
KCB 15. Darwin Mukidza, 14. Festus Shiasi, 13. Peter Kilonzo, 12. Bob Muhati, 11. Michael Wamalwa, 10. Brian Wahinya, 9. Samuel Asati, 1. Thomas Okidia, 2. Griffin Musila (c ), 3. Wilhite Mususi, 4. Elvis Olukusi, 5. Andycole Omolo, 6. Felix Ojoo, 7. Peter Waitere, 8. Davis Chenge REPLACEMENTS 16. Fidel Maina, 17. Nick Okullo, 18. Nelson Nyandat, 19. Brian Munyali, 20. Winston Macharia, 21. Michael Wanjala, 22. Austin Sikutwa, 23. Shaban Ahmed
Menengai Oilers 15. Tony Oketch, 14. Alvin Khavoli, 13. John Okoth, 12. Johnstone Mung’au, 11. Beldad Ogeta, 10. Abutwalib Wesonga, 9. Andrew Odero, 1. Edward Mwaura, 2. Celestine Mboi, 3. Vincent Mwikhali, 4. Ibrahim Ayoo ( c ), 5. Charles Osgood, 6. Samuel Were, 7. Brian Ndirangu, 8. Elkeans Musonye REPLACEMENTS 16. Kevin Mokoyani, 17. Francis Atiti, 18. Allan Ochieng, 19. Clinton Odhiambo, 20. Jardon Abadon, 21. Argwings Owino, 22. Samson Onsomu, 23. Steve Arunga
Kick Off: 5.50pm | Impala Club | Entry | Ksh 500
– Additional reporting by Menengai Oilers media