Kenya Cup sides eye playoff berths
Kenya Cup round nine will offer a final chance of redemption for teams out to regain a winning touch before the Christmas break with sixth-placed Stanbic Mwamba under pressure to remain in the playoff positions.
The top six sides, led by Kabras (35 points) KCB (34 points) and Homeboyz (33 points) will not be willing to surrender their lofty positions to the chasing pack that include seventh-placed Nakuru and eighth-placed Nondescripts.
Mwamba are currently tied with Nakuru at 20 points and must beat Homeboyz to protect the last playoffs spot from favourites Nakuru who play away to Kisumu at Kisumu Polytechnic grounds on Saturday.
Homeboyz are coming off a highlight 20-17 win over Kabras Sugar whereas Mwamba lost 15-5 to Western Bulls in Kakamega.
After ending Kabras’ unbeaten run, Homeboyz coach Jason Hector hopes to collect a winning bonus that will be crucial to staying in the top three positions.
Kabras will be hosting Menengai Oilers at Kakamega show ground while KCB play against Nondescripts at Jamhuri showgrounds.
Unbeaten title charge
Kabras will hope to squeeze in a winning bonus out of Oilers if they are to maintain their top position although the Nakuru-based side, coached by ex-Kenyan international Gibson Weru will not be pushovers.
Meanwhile, KCB will have to be wary of Nondies who beat them 27-22 at Ruaraka last season to spoil a possible second unbeaten title charge even as they hope to collect a winning bonus to stay a point above Homeboyz who play away to Mwamba.
Should Nakuru beat Kisumu away and Mwamba lose to the deejayz, Wanyore will end the year in the top six after nine rounds of struggle highlighted by a false start that saw club chairman resign.
Elsewhere, Blak Blad will also hope to trade places with Kenya Harlequins as the two sides clash to decide who occupies the second last-cum-relegation slot.
Blak Blad must beat Harlequins to ascend to 10th place whereas Harlequin need a win to remain in that position and a bonus points victory if they are to displace Western Bulls, who play away to Impala.
