Kenya Cup Review: Playoff spots sealed as relegation battle heats up

With only two matches to go before the 2021/2022 regular Kenya Cup season draws to a close, one crucial part of the season - playoff spots - may already be sorted after nine matches played.

However, the other vital part that includes two teams facing relegation this season is a race that is far from getting done with. After results posted in Matchday Nine games, the fight for top-flight survival is very much still on as all the remaining eight sides save for the top four could still mathematically face the dreaded drop.

Here is a wrap o matchday 9 and how things stand following the results.

Playoff Spots Confirmed

Just like last season, Kabras Sugar, reigning champions KCB, Menengai Oilers and varsity side Strathmore Leos will be the teams that will fight for the Kenya Cup title in this campaign after the four sides confirmed their spots in the semifinals.

While there could still be a few alterations in terms of the positions the sides finish in, there is no chance that the other teams from fifth place can catch up with the top four due to an insurmountable mathematical difference. Fifth-placed Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) are eleven points away and the maximum points a team can get in the last two rounds is ten.

For the top four, the teams will now be playing to get home advantage when the semis kick off on 26 February 2022.

Nondies close gap at the bottom

Record Kenya Cup champions Nondescript RFC managed to close the gap at the bottom of the log with a vital 0-12 win over Mwamba that pushed them to 11 points, just one point away from safety. Although the 17-time champions may still find themselves at the bottom, they are now on equal ground with the nearest opponents.

With games against Impala and Homeboyz in their last two games, the oldest rugby club in the country are perhaps the only side with fate firmly in their hands.

Kenya Cup: Nondies resuscitate hopes of safety after dogged win over Mwamba

Cold shivers for Impala who are beaten by Homeboyz

10 time Kenya Cup winners Impala were condemned to their seventh loss of the season following a 17-12 loss against Homeboyz to put the Oscar Osir-coached side between a rock and a hard place.

The team now has games against fellow battlers Nondies and MMUST to save their season.

Kenya Cup: Homeboyz keep survival hopes alive after gritty win against doomed Impala

Blak Blad pull the rabbit out of the hat again

Seasoned relegation survivors Blak Blad once again could avoid relegation this season after they defeated Kenya Harlequin 23-21 to jump up to sixth place on the log, seven points above safety with the narrow win.

The team however have tough ties against Oilers and Leos but will only need a point from the two to maintain their top-flight status.

Collated Kenya Cup Match Day 9 Results

Kabras Sugar 32 - Strathmore Leos 3

KCB 23 - Menengai Oilers 18

Homeboyz 17 - Resolution Impala 12

Mwamba 0 - Nondescripts 12

Top Fry Nakuru 8 - Masinde Muliro University 13

BlakBlad 23 - Kenya Harlequins 21