For the fifth consecutive time, Menengai Oilers will feature in the Kenya Cup semi-finals after overcoming a resilient Blak Blad in a playoff match at Nakuru ASK Grounds.
In their seven seasons in the Kenya Cup, the Oilers have only missed the semis in their first two campaigns since earning promotion to the top tier.
Menengai Oilers vs Blad
This match was a repeat of last season’s playoff clash, which the Oilers also won to book a semi-final spot. Despite finishing third this season, the Oilers delivered impressive results, including a commanding 57-17 victory over Blak Blad — their biggest win in this fixture.
Heavy rains before the match left the pitch soggy, possibly forcing tactical adjustments. Blak Blad were the first to strike, with Daniel Oyoo slotting in a penalty for a 3-0 lead.
The Oilers responded after sustained pressure, earning a penalty that Timothy Omela converted to level the scores at 3-3.
Building on their momentum, the Oilers pushed forward and capitalized through a maul, with Charles Osgood grounding the ball. Omela’s successful conversion extended their lead to 10-3.
Blak Blad fought back with a try from David Odhiambo, reducing the deficit to 10-8. However, Omela kept the scoreboard ticking for the Oilers with a well-taken penalty, pushing the score to 13-8.
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Blak Blad continued to press and found success through Dennis Opiyo, whose try was converted by Oyoo to give the students a 15-13 advantage.
The hosts responded swiftly as speedster Alvin Khavoli sliced through the Blak Blad defence for a try. Omela added the extras, restoring Oilers’ lead at 20-15.
After the break, Oyoo was once again on target with a penalty, narrowing the gap to 20-18. However, Omela seized control of the match, scoring a try on the left side after an overload, though his conversion attempt went wide.
Undeterred, Omela made amends with two successive penalties, sealing a well-earned 31-18 victory for the Oilers.
With this win, Menengai Oilers march into the semi-finals, keeping their hopes for Kenya Cup glory alive.
MENENGAI OILERS SQUAD
vs BLAK BLAD
Starting XV:
- Destrious Ifedha
- Celestine Mboi
- Vincent Mwikhali
- Ibrahim Ayoo (c)
- Charles Osgood
- Nelson Makokha
- Amos Obae
- Samuel Were
- Samson Onsomu
- Samuel Mwaura
- Alvin Khavoli
- Samuel Ovwamu
- Chrispine Shitundo
- Timothy Omela
- Abutwalib Wesonga
Reserves:
- Emmanuel Mulindo
- Francis Atiti
- Victor Were
- Wallace Onyango
- Fortune Aturo
- Andrew Odero
- Daniel Kipchichir
- John Okoth
Blak Blad squad.
1.AUSTIN ADERO
2.GIVENS ODUOR
3.COLLINS OBURE
4.RODGERS OKOTH
5.BIKO ODHIAMBO
6.OPIYO DENNIS
7.OBAT KUKE
8.RANDY WAMAH
9.SISO RUGAR
10.OYOO DANIEL
11.JARED DAVEJO
12.OCHIENG DAVID
13.CLAUDE KENNEDY
14.OTETE ELVIS
15.WINSTON AYIEKO
Replacements
16.ASENA AMAYI
17.AYIEKO MOSES
18.KIDAKE BRIAN
19.MWANIKA LOWELL
20.OBUKWA IAN
21.MASESE DERRICK
22.ENOCK ODUOR
23.KHWESA HUKU
