Four matches are on the card as the Bamburi Rugby Super Series tournament enters crucial stage in Nairobi, Nakuru and Kampala.
There will be two Pool A fixtures at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Park, and two other Pool B fixtures in Nakuru and Kampala.Eliminated duo, Nguvu Sharks and Coastal Bulls, face off in the day’s opening fixture at the Jamhuri Park.
Nguvu Sharks ended their campaign succumbing to a second straight loss against the Lions on match day two. The 15-8 result meant Paul Odera’s charges missed out on the semi-final berth. The Sharks will be looking for pride in a bid to end their campaign on a high.
Coastal Bulls run has seen them grow in leaps and bounds. Though they have not won any match in the tournament, the experience they picked up is valuable. Bearing that in mind, they will definitely come all out against the Sharks, hoping to pull off a positive result.
SDV Transami Cheetahs and the Lions have already qualified and their contest will help in determining who finishes top at Jamhuri Park. Having won their opening two matches against the Bulls and Sharks and creating an unassailable lead between them and the rest of the pack, it doesn’t water down the significance of this tie.
Qualifying top of Pool A will be key for both sides, and this is very likely to influence team selection with either side’s technical bench putting out their strongest available sides.
This could be one of the closely contested encounter. The team that emerges victorious here is a sure bet to make it all the way to the finals on June 2 at the RFUEA grounds.
Top clash
Pool B will have a top of the bill tie involving KCB Victoria against Dimension Data Rwenzori at the Kyadondo Rugby grounds, Kampala.
Victoria bounced back from their match day one 46-9 defeat to the UAP Rhinos in Nairobi by registering a 17-7 away win over Mumias Sugar Buffaloes in Mumias. With their noses scenting a semi final berth, Herbert Wafula will leave nothing to chance against fierce rivals Rwenzori. Faisal Gamma and youngster Philip Wokorach will be some of the players to watch on the Victoria side.
At Nakuru Athletic Club hosts and defending champions UAP Rhinos play visiting Mumias Sugar Buffaloes. The Rhinos mission in Nakuru is clear — they need a win to earn qualification from Pool B.
Anything short of a victory will complicate their onward movement. The Rhinos will be motivated to win and for good reason.
Rhinos will seek to bounce back from the 17-15 loss to Rwenzori in Kampala, a result that ended their unbeaten run in the series, since the 33-9 loss to the Lions in the 2008 final.
