Kenya Cup returns Saturday

Kenya Cup is set to resume this Saturday after two-and-a-half months hiatus owing to countrywide sports suspension by the President on March26.

Kenya Rugby Union chairman Oduor Gangla said excitement is building up ahead of the resumption of the top-flight league with five matches lined up with two doubleheaders scheduled in the fifth round of the league on Saturday.

At the Kakamega showground, leaders Kabras and newbies Masinde Muliro University will host Blak Blad and Nondescripts respectively while in the capital, defending champs KCB will host Nakuru at Ruaraka after Strathmore Leos take on Kenya Harlequin.

“The Kenya Cup resumes this weekend and fixtures are already published. We are happy with the developments and the clubs’ interest to return to play and we are definitely looking forward to action resumption,” Gangla told People Sport.

 The games are set to run from this Saturday, June 12 up to September 4 and players are already back in their respective training venues in preparation for the 11-team competition.

 Apart from the two doubleheaders, Impala Saracens and Mwamba are set to renew rivalry at the Impala Club at 3pm whereas Nakuru-based Menengai Oilers will take a rest this weekend but will resume next weekend against MMUST as Kabras when Kenya Harlequin and Strathmore take a rest.

 So crucial will be the sixth round  for KCB with a real chance of grabbing a temporary log command in the absence of resting Kabras.

The round will also be crucial for third-placed Oilers to boost their 11-point run with a fixture against MMUST at the Nakuru Athletics club while rivals Nakuru need to beat KCB this weekend to trade places with Oilers currently three points shy of tying with their neighbours.

 The first week of August will be a moment of truth when Kabras and KCB, currently tied at 15points, each meet at the Kakamega showground on August 7.

 Meanwhile the Kenya Cup transfer window ended last week without notable movement.

Kabras will, however, resume its campaign under former Simbas coach Dominique Habimana who sits in for coach Mzingae Nyathi who left the country in April and has not returned.

 Reports point out a possible quit by the technician who returned to the Western Province where he was the Academy head coach.

Mzingae joined the Sugar Millers in July 2020 as a replacement for South African Henley Du Plessis.