Menengai Oilers staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Nondies 34-25, maintaining their own unbeaten streak in the Kenya Cup during a captivating clash at Nakuru ASK Grounds.
Both teams entered the match with unblemished records, making this a high-stakes showdown to stay within striking distance of the top two spots in the league.
Menengai Oilers trail
The Oilers, fielding a heavily rotated squad with eight changes, struggled to find their rhythm early on. Nondies took full advantage, with Chrispin Omondi crossing the try line and Benson Salem adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Salem further extended the lead with two penalties, while Eric Ogutu responded with one for Oilers, leaving the score at 13-3. Samuel Ovwaamu brought the Oilers back into contention with a try, cutting the deficit to 13-8 by halftime.
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The second half saw the Oilers shift gears. Substitute Timothy Omela powered over for a try before Denis Abukuse added another, converted by Omela, to give the Oilers the lead.
Nondies fought back through Moseti Nyaenya, who scored a try off the bench to close the gap to 20-18.
Despite being reduced to 14 men due to a red card, Oilers showed resilience. Impact players Andrew Odero and Beldad Ogeta scored a try each, both converted by Omela, extending the lead to 34-18.
Charles Odhiambo scored a consolation try for Nondies, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their first loss of the season.
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
Nondies Starting XV
1. Collins Odwori 2. Zachary Marowa 3. Ambrose Ouko 4. Hilary Baraza 5. Maxwell Kipsang 6. Steve Odhiambo (C) 7. Fred Shisia 8. Tony Owuor 9. Ronnie Omondi 10. Ian Mumbwani 11. Daniel Okito 12. Charles Odhiambo 13. Sankara Wafula 14. Chrispin Omondi 15. Salem Adoyo
Bench
16. Stephen Owino 17. Elisha Koronya 18. Eric Shimoli 19. Adrian Wallace 20. Charles Omondi 21. Geoffrey Magoro 22. Moseti Nyaenya 23. Martin Juma
