NAIROBI, October 23 – Friday night floodlit Kenya Cup matches are back on popular demand for the upcoming season where champions Nakuru RFC will launch their defence against newcomers Catholic Monks when the season gets underway on the weekend of November 8.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Fixtures and Competitions Administrator; Michael Mwanja, announced Thursday that participating teams had pushed for the re-introduction of the fixtures that were pulled out of the calendar four years ago in a bid to stem flagging support for the game.
“These fixtures were put into consideration following a request from the clubs. We opted to factor them in and this means one will be able to watch a lot more quality rugby over the weekend following the move to spread out the league fixtures,” Mwanja added.
The return of the floodlit fixtures on the domestic menu will be ushered in by a mouth watering clash between Impala and Homeboyz RFC on the weekend of November 14 at Impala Club which is the only dedicated rugby venue with lighting along Nairobi’s Ngong Road.
According to fixtures released by KRU, Thursday, seven matches will be on the cards across the country in the opening round with last season’s runner-ups; KCB inviting debutants Kabras Sugar at The Den in Nairobi’s Ruaraka.
Other fixtures will see Pan Africa Strathmore Leos travel to Mombasa while Homeboyz square it out with University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine at RFUEA Grounds in an early kick-off before Lunch Bar Quins entertain Kenyatta University’s Black Blad at the same venue.
At the Nairobi Railway Club, there will be another double header where Nondescript take on Western Bulls before hosts Mwamba RFC lock horns with Impala Saracens.
OPENING FIXTURES
MATCH DAY ONE
Saturday 8 November 2014
Top Fry Nakuru v Catholic Monks -4.00pm, Nakuru Athletic Club, Nakuru
KCB v Kabras Sugar – 4.00pm – KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka
Mombasa Sports Club v Pan Africa Strathmore Leos – 4.00pm, Mombasa Sports Club
Homeboyz v Mean Machine – 2.00pm, RFUEA
Lunch Bar Quins v Blak Blad – 4.00pm, RFUEA
Total Nondies v Western Bulls – 2.00pm, Railway Club
Mwamba v Resolution Impala Saracens – 4.00pm, Railway Club