Impala Floodlit defending Champions KCB Rugby have announced their squad that will battle Kenya Harlequin in a Cup quarterfinal match at Impala Club from 7:20 PM on Saturday.
The Bankers have four players in their squad who will make their debut this weekend. They include former Homeboyz captain Thomas Okidia who starts on the bench alongside Ishmael Goro and Kenya Under 20 forward Winstone Macharia.
First start for Shiasi
Former Mean Machine and Strathmore Leos utility back Festus Shiasi has been handed his first start in the midfield alongside Bob Muhati.
The back three has Brian Omondi, Smith Muhoya and Mike Kimwele. Brian Wahinya will start at scrum-half as Shaban Ahmed dons jersey 10.
Veteran Andrew Amonde is the right flanker with Steve Wamai scheduled to start as the left flanker. Peter Waitere is the eighth man. The locks are Elvis Olukusi and Davis Chenge.
The front row has Oscar Simiyu, George Asin and Curtis Lilako, KCB will be seeking to defend the trophy they have won three times in a row.
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The matches are scheduled to kick off at 10:20 with the Varsity Category where Strathmore Leos Catulus are set to face USIU at RFUEA Grounds. At Impala Club, Daystar Falcons will be playing Mean Machine.
Catholic Monks will take on Blak Blad II in a 12:00 PM kick-off match at RFUEA Grounds. At the same time, Kenya Under 20 will be tackling Nakuru Universities Combined team at Impala Club.
There will be a veterans match at lunchtime, which will usher in the club’s category action.
Floodies Clubs schedule
The Varsity derby pitting Strathmore Leos and Blak Blad will commence at 2:20 PM before paving way for a Nakuru Derby match between 2019 finalist Menengai Oilers and Nakuru RFC.
Host Impala Saracens will face Nondies at 4:00 PM while the final match on the schedule will the clash between defending Champions KCB Rugby and Kenya Harlequin.
Impala Floodlit Tournament makes a long-awaited return after two-year hiatus occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three-weekend knock-out tournament will run from 29 October 29 2022. Day two will be on 5 November and the finals will be played on 12 November 2022.
Early birds tickets for day one and two will retail at kshs. 300 while at the gates, tickets will sell at kshs. 400. On the final day, advanced tickets will sell at kshs. 400 while at the gate tickets will cost 500.
The tournament that ushers in the Kenya Cup season was last played in 2019 with KCB Rugby winning the third successive floodlit title after a 23-9 win over Menengai Oilers.
Oilers were making their maiden appearance and had eliminated Kenya Harlequins and host Impala to get to the final.
In 2021 the tournament didn’t take place due to the ban on contact sports following the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world. In 2021 it did not happen with teams resorting to facing off in friendlies ahead of the season.
KCB Rugby squad; 1. Oscar Simiyu, 2. George Asin, 3. Curtis Lilako, 4. Elvis Olukusi, 5. Davis Chenge, 6. Steve Wamai, 7. Andrew Amonde, 8. Peter Waitere, 9. Brian Wahinya, 10. Shaban Ahmed, 11. Brian Omondi, 12. Bob Muhati, 13. Festus Shiasi*, 14 Mike Kimwele, 15. Smith Muhoya.
16. Wilfred Waswa, 17. Thomas Okidia*, 18 Nelson Nyandat, 19. Winstone Macharia*, 20 Felix Ojoo, 21. Ishmael Gorio*, 22. Esau Otieno, 23. Levy Amunga
How we line up against @KenyaHarlequins on Saturday at The Impala Floodlit tournament 2022 “Floodies”. Debutants pia mumewaonako hapo? Si tupatane huko then?#believe #commitment #lionheartedrugby pic.twitter.com/SAaZEiLUfH
— KCB Rugby Club (@kcbrugby) October 28, 2022
