Menengai Oilers out to floor Blak Blad as Impala Floodlights enters semifinal stage

Defending champions Menengai Oilers will take no chances when they face Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in the semifinals of the Impala Floodlights tournament on Saturday, 1 November at the Impala Grounds.

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The Oilers booked their place in the last four after edging out tournament favorites KCB Rugby 16–13 in a rain-soaked quarterfinal last weekend. Blak Blad, on the other hand, sealed their spot with an impressive 35–13 win over Kenya Harlequin.

This weekend’s clash will be a repeat of the 2024 semifinal, where Oilers triumphed 22–6 before going on to clinch their maiden Floodlights title.

However, Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has cautioned his charges against complacency, emphasizing the need to capitalize on set pieces to secure a place in the final.

Weru revealed that the team has been refining key areas identified during the quarterfinal against KCB, where their game plan was disrupted by the heavy rains.

How Menengai Oilers turned rain-soaked chaos into victory over KCB Rugby

"We worked so hard in the green zone, it was an area we struggled with a lot last season. We used to get there and leave without points, but now I can see great progress. I’m also keen to improve our kicking and counter-attacking game," Weru said.

"Our set pieces were solid, but our counter-attacks still need work. The dynamics of the last game threw everything off balance, but we’ve learned from it," he continued.

Blak Blad, known for their resilience, will be hoping to pull off another upset, having knocked out KCB 9–8 in last year’s quarterfinals.

In the other semifinal, Nondescripts RFC will lock horns with hosts Impala RFC.

Nondies advanced after narrowly beating Strathmore Leos 27–22, while Impala overcame Mwamba RFC 24–21 in extra time.

Strathmore Leos coach explains loss to Nondies in Impala Floodlit quarters

Nondies impressed in the quarters with their structured play and ability to exploit opponents’ mistakes, and it remains to be seen whether they can replicate that form tonight.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be out to emulate their 2024 run, where they reached the final before falling to the Oilers.

The day’s action will kick off with varsity semifinals, before the main fixtures.

Why Kenya Sevens legend is unfazed despite KCB's two-year Impala Floodlit title drought

Saturday, 1 November Program

Varsity Semifinals

USIU Martials vs Daystar Falcons – 11:40 AM, Impala Club

JKUAT Cougars vs Zetech Oaks – 11:40 AM, RFUEA Grounds

Plate Semifinals (Fifth Place Playoffs)

Kabete Stallions vs Mean Machine – 10:00 AM, RFUEA Grounds

Impala Swaras vs KCA University – 10:00 AM, Impala Club

Fifth Place/Plate Semis

KCB vs Kenya Harlequin – 4:40 PM

Mwamba vs Strathmore Leos – 3:00 PM

Main Cup Semifinals

Menengai Oilers vs Blak Blad – 5:40 PM

Impala vs Nondies – 7:20 PM