The highlight fixture on Match Day 3 in the Kenya Cup sees third-placed Menengai Oilers host Strathmore Leos at the Nakuru Showground on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
Menengai Oilers have displayed excellence in their two previous outings, beginning with a dominant 43-13 home victory over Homeboyz on December 2, followed by a remarkable 67-0 win away against Mwamba last weekend. Beldad Ogeta, in stellar form, shares the top spot in the try scorers charts with George Nyambua from Kabras Sugar, boasting five tries. Ogeta will play a pivotal role for the Oilers on Saturday, relying on quality ball distribution from John Okoth and the returning Denis Abukuse in midfield.
Strathmore Leos have also secured two consecutive wins, narrowly missing bonus points in their 27-24 victory away against Nakuru on Match Day 1. Last weekend, they edged out Kenyatta University Blak Blad 21-16 at Strathmore University. The Leos will look to the dynamic halfback pairing of Arnold Muita and Stephen Osumba to set up their lively backline, including Richard Liva, Nygel Amaitsa, and Victor Odhiambo.
In another intriguing clash at Kenyatta University, hosts Blak Blad will face Nakuru. Both teams are tied on 6 points, with Blad placed sixth due to a better aggregate difference. Blad started the season with a 24-16 win over Mwamba before a 21-16 defeat to Strathmore Leos last weekend. Nakuru, on the other hand, started with a 27-24 loss to the Leos before narrowly defeating Kisumu 25-20 last weekend.
Blad’s formidable forwards, led by skipper Obat Kuke, Givens Onyango, and Randy Wamah are expected to beat the gainline, setting up platforms to allow Shuai Wesonga and Claude Nyamiro, expected to be dangerous with ball in hand and at pace. Nakuru relies on the experience and leadership of Gramwell Bunyasi, Amos Obae, and the evergreen Edwins Makori.
Additional matches include a double header at the RFUEA Ground, where promoted sides Nondescripts and Kisumu meet in a repeat of the KRU Championship decider. Both teams are winless, having suffered back-to-back losses. The second fixture at the RFUEA Ground sees hosts fourth-placed Kenya Harlequin take on Mwamba, who are still seeking their first win.
In Ruaraka, second-placed KCB will host Homeboyz, while leaders and defending champions Kabras Sugar welcome bottom-of-the-table Catholic Monks to the Kakamega Showground.
