NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – KCB RFC assistant coach Dennis Mwanja says they are wary of a potential banana skin fixture as they take on the Catholic University Monks at their Ruaraka backyards as the Kenya Cup returns this weekend.
Monks are placed ninth on the Kenya Cup standings, but Mwanja says they are a tough side and his charges should approach the game with seriousness.
“We respect every opponent because for them to be here it shows they deserve. We have studied their game and we know how they play. They are a very determined side just like any University side and we will be prepared for them. We will stick to our set pieces, skills and game plans and take the match in our stride,” said the coach.
The bankers are unbeaten this season and have won all seven of their fixtures so far and will look to cement their place on top of the standings with another bonus point win.
Mwanja expects a better start than last weekend when they needed a huge second half performance to beat Strathmore Leos 33-18 in their last match before the league went on a break.
The assistant coach has admitted that their previous huge win over Mwamba might have gotten into their heads, hence a relaxed approach.
But against Monks, the coach will want to see a more vigorous and lion-hearted approach.
Meanwhile in other fixtures, Second placed Kabras Sugar make the trip down to Nairobi to take on hosts Mwamba at the Impala Club.
Kabras, the reigning Kenya Cup champions, have equally peaked form wise heading into the business end of the league phase and will be looking to maintain their hot streak against a Mwamba side who have been on the receiving end of hefty defeats in recent weeks.
Third placed Menengai Oilers also travel to Nairobi to take on hosts Strathmore Leos in Madaraka.
For the Oilers, Saturday’s clash is an opportunity to cement their place in the playoffs while for Strathmore whose playoff chances have dipped over the past few weeks, this is an opportunity to register victor over the Oilers and climb up the log from 10th place.
Home side Nakuru, sitting in eighth are home to fourth placed Kenya Harlequin at the Nakuru Athletic Club. Nakuru, who will be unveiling their new playing strip, are looking to curtail red hot playoff chasing Quins from registering their fifth win on the trot and this should definitely make for great viewing at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
Last placed Masinde Muliro are running out of time and must conjure up a win against sixth placed hosts Homeboyz at the Jamhuri Park if they are to harbor any hopes of staying alive in the Kenya Cup for another season.
Fifth placed Blak Blad and eleventh placed Mean Machine clash at the Kenyatta University, the first Kenya Cup clash between the two sides since March 2019.
Additional info courtesy Kenya Cup
