Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has made eight changes to his squad, the most he has made since the season began, ahead of their Kenya Cup match against Nondescripts at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.
Victor Were and Emmanuel Mulla move to the starting lineup, with Destrious Ifedha and Celestine Mboi dropping to the bench after participating in the Kenya Simbas camp.
Menengai Oilers start Onyango
Wallace Onyango replaces skipper Ibrahim Ayoo in the second row, while Charles Osgood retains his position as the other lock.
Nelson Makokha remains on the blind side as a flanker, while Fortune Aturo, newly signed from Kabras RFC, earns his first start as the open-side flanker. Samuel Were takes up the number eight role as Clinton Odhiambo misses out. The club’s top scorer this season, Elkeans Musonye, starts on the bench.
In the backline, Clarkson Keegan continues at scrum-half, pairing with fly-half Samuel Mwaura. For the first time this season, the back three has been reshuffled. Lucky Onyango moves to the left wing, while Kenya 7s forward Denis Abukuse has been named on the right wing for the first time.
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Eric Ogutu starts at fullback while Beldad Ogeta, Timothy Omela, and Abutwalib Wesonga, all returning from their Kenya Simbas camp are benched. Samuel Ovwamu partnership with Chrispine Shitundo continues with the latter set to captain the side.
Oilers remain unbeaten after six rounds and are determined to maintain pressure on league leaders Kabras RFC.
Menengai Oilers full squad
1. Victor Were 2. Emmanuel Mulla 3. Vincent Mwikhali 4. Wallace Onyango 5. Charles Osgood 6. Nelson Makokha 7. Fortune Aturo 8. Samuel Were 9. Clarkson Keegan 10. Samuel Mwaura 11. Lucky Onyango 12. Samuel Ovwamu 13. Chrispine Shitundo (C) 14. Denis Abukuse 15. Eric Ogutu
Reserves: 16. Celestine Mboi 17. Destrious Ifedha 18. Allan Ochieng 19. Ibrahim Ayoo 20. Elkeans Musonye 21. Andrew Odero 22. Timothy Omela 23. Beldad Ogeta Coach: Gibson Weru 4:00 PM Kickoff
ESS
1. Byron Cornel 2. Reuben Njoroge 3. Bruce Endovo 4. Argwings Owino 5. Eugene Etale 6. Paywick Munoko 7. Calvin Malewa 8. Erick Omanga 9. Samson Onsomu (C) 10. Tony Oketch 11. Alvin Khavoli 12. Antony Owino 13. Stephen Arunga 14. Brian Achacha 15. Glacious Owino
Reserves: 16. Kelvin Mukoyani 17. Francis Atiti 18. Emmanuel Amadi 19. Johnson Ombago 20. Tony Rebel 21. Collins Okoth 22. Wilson Tonya 23. Brian Oyugi
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