KCB knocks out Kenya Harlequin from incoming playoffs
Kenya Cup champions KCB knocked out Kenya Harlequin from the incoming playoffs after giving them a sound beating of 45-10 in the Eighth Round at the RFUEA Grounds.
A repeat of last season’s playoffs where all the current top four teams played is on the way unless sixth-placed Mwamba register four wins and a bonus while the biggest rival Strathmore lose their final fixtures without a bonus.
Mathematically only Mwamba has a chance of stopping a repeat of the playoffs but the Black Shirts must first end KCB’s unbeaten run this weekend before facing Nondescripts, MMUST and Harlequin.
Mwamba and the students' duo of seventh-placed Blak Blad and eighth-placed MMUST are all tied at 14 points to give the three sides hopes of surviving relegation in the case they pick a win and some bonuses.
But they could still face the axe should relegation-threatened Nondescripts and Impala Saracens decide to pull a series of wins in the remaining fixtures. Nondies has a match in hand against Kabras to be honoured this week.
KCB head coach Curtis Olago told People Sport the Bankers have shifted focus to their postponed match against Mwamba.
Close gaps
“Quins kicked off on a very strong foot so we had to discuss it with the boys, compose ourselves and raise it to another level and we did that by playing our structures to turn around the game thanks to good leadership portrayed by captain Darwin Mukidza. He controlled things on the pitch and all I can say is he kept us safe even when we lost focus,” said Olago.
Mukidza told People Sports the team is now after a maximum of 20 points in their last four games to give them a top two finish alongside unbeaten Kabras.
“We were overconfident at the start and we had to calm down. We got a bonus win and we are now going for maximum points in the remaining matches to secure a home semifinal match,” said Mukidza.
Only one change occurred in the top four when Kabras ended Menengai Oilers unbeaten run at their backyard in Nakuru to get back to the top of the standings with 35 while Oilers missed a bonus to maintain their 33 points collection. KCB salvaged a bonus from Quins to stay a point away from a tie with fourth placed Strathmore.
The playoffs teams confirmations are pending how Mwamba and KCB will clash, the rest of the teams will still be fighting to survive relegation owing to close gaps that could be shut in the last three rounds.
Fifth-placed Harlequins, for instance, are just eight points above bottom-placed Nondescripts who have four matches to play to decide their own fate .
The Sarries tackle the Ngong road duo of Homeboyz and Nondies before playing MMUST in the final match.
