Legend Nyikuli to feature for KCB in tourney

Former Kenya Simbas captain, the legendary Brian Nyikuli, is among three players set to debut for Kenya Cup Champions KCB RFC.

Nyikuli, if selected, will feature for the bankers at the Impala Floodlit Tournament on November 4 at the Impala Rugby Club.

Nyikuli who has featured for the Ngong road based Kenya Harlequins and Homeboyz RFC, is currently turning out for Strathmore Leos.

In an Interview with Citizen Digital, KCB RFC head coach Dennis Mwanja expressed delight in the acquisition of the services of the legendary player.

“If we finalize transfer negotiations on time, fans that turn out for floodies 2017 will have the chance to have a glimpse of Nyikuli; McLachlan Sikukuu and Joel Maingi put on the lion decorated jersey.

Nyikuli will join from Strathmore, Sikukuu from Kenya Harlequins and Maingi from Nondescripts,”Mwanja told Citizen Digital.

“The three signings will be a huge advantage to us and moreso if the National 15’s team allows its core players to participate in the prestigious Floodlit Tournament,” Mwanja added.

Peter Karia, Oliver Mang’eni, Darwin Mukidza and Jacob Ojee, are some of the KCB stars who are expected to lead the Lions campaign in winning the floodlit crown.

However, the availability of these national team players will mainly depend on the verdict the national team management orders.

KCB and hosts Impala Saracens will headline the Impala Floodlit Tournament which gets underway on November 4, as a warm up to the 2017/18 season.

This year, the tournament will feature a girl’s category, women’s category, universities category, and all senior teams in the Kenya rugby.

There will be no high school category in this year’s edition since most of the schools will have closed by then.

The Impala Floodlit Tournament is a 15-a-side annual rugby event that was first held in 1983.

The bonanza is the premier tournament for local teams preparing for the 15-a-side league competitions which kick starts soon after the tournament.

Now in its 36th edition, the competition is expected to attract more than 10,000 rugby devotees from Nairobi and neighboring towns.

The hosts Impala Saracens are the defending champions after edging out KCB 33-32 in a tantalizing final in 2016.

Laiser Hill Academy hammered Ofafa Jericho to win the schools category, while surprise package Menengai Oilers picked the varsities title with a win against Blak Blad II as Homeboyz won the Plate after whipping Strathmore Leos.