The Standard – Kenya: Kabras welcome Strathmore as relegation-threatened Machine face Impala in must-win tie | The Standard

Mwamba are keen to return to winning ways when they face Nondescripts in the penultimate round of the 2018-19 Kenya Cup today.

Kulabu head to the match at the Jamhuri Showground reeling from last weekend’s 27-20 loss to champions KCB and a win will be a big boost in their quest to reach the playoffs.

“We have been on a positive run of late and our focus is just to build on that momentum which will give us the much-needed belief ahead of the last two matches,” Mwamba coach Kevin Wambua said.

He added that their mission is on course to achieving their play-offs target.

“We need to improve our defensive shape and set-piece execution. If we can do that, then we should be able to have a good game against Nondies,” Wambua added.

After facing Nondies, Wambua’s men, who are sixth on the 12-team standings with 39 points, will travel to Nakuru on the final day of the regular season to tackle debutants Menengai Oilers.

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Having surprisingly lost to Oilers last weekend, Nondies are also in need of maximum points in today’s encounter knowing well that any slip up could see them fall out of the playoffs bracket.

Meanwhile, league leaders Kabras Sugar will be at home against university side Strathmore Leos who are fighting to avoid relegation.

Kabras have already secured a semi-final berth as they are assured of a top-two finish alongside defending champions KCB.

Despite having a near perfect campaign that has seen them lose only one match so far, Kabras coach Henly Du Plessis wants more from his charges.

“We should work on our execution in kick-offs because that is an area we are really losing possession from,” Du Plessis said after their win over Nakuru RFC last weekend.

The South African said their line-out has been of great concern ahead of the final two matches. “We need to be more accurate and aggressive in our rucks and try to keep the ball for more than one or two phases,” Du Plessis said yesterday.

Other matches lined up today will see third-placed Kenya Harlequin make the short trip to Ruaraka to face KCB. Quins need only three points in their remaining matches to seal a third-place finish in the league.

Oilers and Homeboyz will face off in the day’s early kick-off at the RFUEA grounds before Impala entertains Mean Machine. 

Blak Blad will be the hosts of Nakuru RFC at the Kenyatta University grounds.