Kenya Cup preview: Harlequins host KCB as Kabras travel to face Leos

Kenya Cup resumes action this weekend with Kabras Sugar wary of the potential banana skin match against Strathmore Leos on Saturday while Kenya Harlequin go in search of their first win of the season against reigning champions KCB.

Strathmore Leos vs Kabras Sugar, 1500 EAT

After an emphatic 56-0 win against MMUST in the opening game of the season, Kabras travel to the capital to take on a Leos side that caused a massive headache to reigning champions KCB. Kabras, who defeated Kenya Harlequins to lift the Sisimka Charity Cup, will be aiming for a second consecutive win when they take on the university side.

Kabras’ head coach Mzingaye Nyathi acknowledged the challenge he expects from Leos but stated that his team was only focused on getting a win

“It was evident from the reports on Strathmore's game last week that they have come back into the Kenya Cup prepared. I am sure they are working on getting their game at the level to compete just as we are working on our chemistry too. Nevertheless, we are ready and looking forward to a win.” said the Zimbabwean coach.

Leos head coach Louis Kisia on the other hand was upbeat about his side’s chances in the game against the Enterprise Cup winners despite losing their first game of the season.

“When they play (Kabras) they always bring their A-game, so we’ll definitely have to be at the top of our game. We have worked on our lineouts which were a bit wanting against KCB. So, if the boys execute it well then it’s going to be easy for us,” he said.

Kenya Harlequin vs KCB, 1500 EAT

Quins come into the game against KCB on the back of two consecutive defeats since the resumption of rugby action in the country; losing against Kabras in the Sisimka Charity Cup and then to Menengai Oilers away in Nakuru.

Philip Wamae, KCB’s team manager, expects to see an improvement from his team who showed some signs of rustiness in their opening game to Leos after close to eleven months of not playing.

“It is going to be a very exciting encounter considering how we were very lukewarm at the beginning of the league against Leos. So I’m expecting Quins to come out full throttle because they lost against Oilers. I believe it’s going to be a great encounter and it’s going to be a very good chance for us to see where we lie in matters our systems and structures,” he said.

Elsewhere Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad take on Menengai Oilers in the league’s early kick-off at the RFUEA grounds. (1300EAT)

Away from Nairobi, Top Fry Nakuru take on Kenya Cup debutants MMUST at the Nakuru Athletic Club. (1500EAT)