Impala out to tame KCB Lions in Kenya Cup semis

Kenya Sevens international, Samuel Montari, will start from the bench for Impala Saracens as the Gazelles target to qualify for the Kenya Cup finals when they lock horns with champions KCB Lions on Saturday at Nairobi’s Impala Grounds.

The other semi will see Kenya Harlequins host beaten finalists Kabras Sugar.

Impala have not lifted the coveted cup in seven years but after an impressive performance in the league phase this season, victory on against the champions could propel them closer to ending that drought.

This season Impala have been a team on a mission after acquiring the services of former Kenya 15s international Fred Ollows.

Ollows; a former scrumhalf, has been involved in the game’s development for over a decade and his expertise in scouting young talent was put to test at one of the top rugby teams in the country.

“The committee came and told me they wanted me to replace Eric Situma who was caught up in a lot of issues and I filled in the gap.

“We just went back to the simple things most of the times, 70 percent of the times it’s the pass that is happening, it’s the running and it’s the tackling. We spent quite a bit of time on the simple things in rugby. We are excited about this and we are looking forward to give a good display in defending and attack,” the former talent development director at Kenya Rugby Union said.

“We will have to and especially in terms of field position we have been attacking from every side we will play more in their half,” Duncan Ekasi, Impala’s skipper added.

Impala started the season on the wrong footing losing to their bitter rivals and neighbours Harlequins but have since exploded to mirror their form of the past.

In their subsequent fixtures, Impala found their stride in ruthless form managing to register 16 wins and three losses.

They also managed to cross the century mark destroying the hapless Bungoma 121-0 as they qualified to the last four by topping the league standings.

KCB, the defending champions have had mixed fortunes this season and welcome Kabras with the game’s enthusiasts rooting for the Ngong Road derby dream final.