Battle of the titans as ambitious Strathmore Leos host table topping Menengai Oilers

Strathmore Leos will be looking to pick up from where they left off last weekend when they welcome a high flying Menengai Oilers at their home patch in Madaraka in a thrilling Matchday 7 Kenya Cup encounter that is expected to come up with the goods when the two sides go head to head on Saturday afternoon.

Having left it really late to steal a narrow 17-19 victory against Kenya Harlequin last week, Leos will have the wind knocked into their sails especially with the manner in which they achieved that victory. From 17-8 down, the students came back steaming in the final ten minutes as they nicked the win with virtually the game’s last kick of the match.

However, against Oilers, the varsity side will encounter a different ball game altogether as the Nakuru based side are riding high in confidence following their stainless form in the six games so far played where they have won every match with a bonus point to go with save for one game.

Those impressive results see Oilers currently top the table on 29 points and the Gibson Weru-coached side will obviously be seeking to continue with their unbeaten run as they seek to make a statement of intent in terms of their title ambitions this season.

However, with Leos being a side that can come up with moments of brilliance in a match on their day, Oilers will have to trade with caution when they take to the Strathmore Sports Complex that will certainly be hostile and full of cheers for the home side.

Heading into the game, the students head coach Louis ‘Fadhee’ Kisia cut a confident figure as he hailed his team’s character especially after last week’s performance.

“Quins opened our eyes on set pieces especially on scrums which we have worked on. Such a win was definitely a morale booster and it encourages the boys to want more. We are ready to take on anyone and we play every game like a final without any fear. That character and attitude in the team is encouraging and what we will do against Oilers is try to exploit their weaknesses,” the head coach stated.

“Strathmore are a good team. They were in the playoffs last season and if you look at their last two matches, they have shown grit and character to win matches in the final minutes,” Oilers' Weru noted.

With four points separating third-placed Leos from the log leaders, can the students make another statement performance in terms of their journey and mentality against the big boys?

The match kicks off at 1500EAT.