Kenya Harlequin Head Coach Paul Murunga has announced his squad that will play against Defending Champions KCB rugby in the Floodies quarterfinal match scheduled for Saturday at 7:20 PM at Impala Club.
The coach has handed three former Homeboyz players a start in the match. They include Arnold Onzere who will start at fly-half, Jan Remke who will be in the midfield and winger Richel Wangila.
Two more former Homeboyz players
Dan Kagwa and Michael Nyakundi are expected to make their cameo debut during the match after being named on the bench alongside Laban Kipsang and Leornard Fogang.
Lucky Dewald is the scrum half and David Mwangi is set to make his debut on the left wing. Dominic Osino has been tasked with fullback and vice-captain duties.
Douglas Kahuri will start in the midfield. The back row has Ugandan International Mark Omoding, Sheldon Kahi and Clinton Kaisai. Michael Onsando will captain the side and has been paired together with Hillary Baraza. Elisha Koronya, Wilhite Mususi and Meshack Tunnech will lead the front row.
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.
Kenya Harlequin squad for Floodies :
1. Elisha Koronya 2. Wilhite Mususi 3. Meshack Tunnech 4. Michael Onsando (Captain) 5. Hillary Baraza 6. Clinton Kaisai 7. Sheldon Kahi 8. Mark Omoding 9. Lucky Dewald 10. Arnold Onzere* 11.David Mwangi * 12. Douglas Kahuri 13. Jan Remke*14. Richel Wangila * 15. Dominic Osino (Vice Captain)
Replacements: 16. Dan Kagwa* 17. Michael Mugo 18. Mohammed Khaider. 19. Laban Kipsang * 20. Leonard Fogang* 21. Nick Ndegwa 22. Charles Kinyanjui 23. Micheal Nyakundi
