Zetech Oaks ready for NYS Eagles test in Nationwide playoffs

Zetech Oaks head coach Ramsfield Matekwa says his boys are in high spirits ahead of their pre-quarter final clash with NYS Eagles, in the Kenya Rugby Union Nationwide League playoffs.

Oaks who were relegated from the KRU Championship last season are hoping for an instant return to the second tier league in the country, with their first hurdle being the Mombasa-based Eagles.

“The team is fine because the boys actually knew what they wanted to do after the fall from the Championship. Right now as we head into the pre-quarters playoffs, the boys are ready for the game and we’ve been preparing so much for it. 

"We know this is a very crucial stage so they are ready for the NYS Eagles; we are giving hopes to everyone that we are going to make it to the championship,” Matekwa said.

Matekwa says life in the Nationwide has not been easy for his boys, and hopes they give their all this weekend to advance in the playoffs.

“The adaptation was hard to the boys but they called themselves a meeting and agreed that they were the reason the team went down, so they have no option other than to ensure the team gets back (to the championship). It has been a difficult and hectic season because you find more teams are not coming in for the games and a bit of poor officiating.

"The Championship was so good, it was giving us a good challenge because we had to travel from one point to another to face other teams. With the Nationwide League, because we are in the central region, there is that limitation to travel and it’s in a region where there is a lot of familiarity,” he explained.

In other matches, Technical University of Mombasa’s Marines take on Egerton Wasps at the Seacrest Grounds, as Project 61 tackle Kenya Prisons at the Eldoret Polytechnic grounds.

Moi University’s Arsonist will be their backyard to battle Shamberere Institute as Sigalagala National Polytechnic play MKU Thika.

Kisii RFC will travel to Kabete to take on Stallions at Kabete Polytechnic grounds with Maseno University taking on Makueni RFC at the same venue at 1:00pm.