Why abstaining Kenya Cup teams are returning

Impala Saracens head coach Mitch Ocholla says they chose to return to the Kenya Cup fold because they felt they felt better prepared to begin their season after missing the opening two rounds.

The former Shujaa head coach said they had decided to abstain in order to complete their pre-season and conditioning before resuming the league.

“I told you it was very clear when you’re ready to play we’ll play,” said Ocholla.

“Now there is a lot of credit because the players said they wanted to have a good pre-season just to get them in the safety zone regarding injuries, understand the protocols well and be through with our conditioning so i think we’re good to go.”

Ocholla added their players have gone through the Covid-19 test which was catered for by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

“How they agreed I understand that the players went for their test at KRU and from what I believe KRU got a kit from World Rugby or the government to do the tests,” explained Ocholla.

Impala alongside Mwamba and Nondescripts all returned to the league after abstaining earlier with Homeboyz RFC remaining the only top rugby club to opt out of the Kenya Cup this season.

The Ngong-Road side kicks off their season this weekend against Kenya Harlequins at the Impala Club this weekend and Ocholla says they are ready for the match.

“Our opponents may have played two matches but that’s not a worry to us because we’re prepared well for the match and we believe we shall come out victorious,” said Ocholla.

Mitch believes that the KRU will fix the two matches they haven’t played.

“I think there will be some games that are going to be waved off like this weekend only six teams out of 13 will be in action so they will just have to wait for us to catch on,” he stated.

In other matches to be played over the weekend Mwamba will kick off their season at home, Impala Club Grounds, against varsity side Blak Blad Saturday 1:00 pm and then the Nakuru derby will see Nakuru-based side Menengai Oilers welcome their neighbours Top Fry Nakuru at Moi Showground on the same day at 3:00 pm.

Revised Kenya Cup Fixtures

Match Day 3: Saturday March 13, 2021

Mwamba v Blak Blad, 1.00pm, Impala Club

Resolution Impala Saracens v Kenya Harlequin, 3.00pm, Impala Club

Menengai Oilers v Top Fry Nakuru, 3.00pm, Moi Showground, Nakuru