The Punter
3 May 2008
Nairobi — It's all systems go as the Great Rift 10-a-side tournament kicks off at the Nakuru Athletic Club from 9am on Saturday.
For the first time in a long time, all the top players are available for this annual event in which the winning team will get Sh25,000 prize money and the runners-up Sh15,000. Defending champions Impala, who are captained by national seven-a-side player Nato Simiyu, kick off the tournament against Mean Machine in the opening match.
Impala are in the Group of Death, Pool 'A', which has last year's Kenya Rugby Football Union Sevens champions Mwamba, Mean Machine and KCA University. Coach Charles Ngovi is hoping for a repeat performance. "We have a tough pool which is good because every match will be like a final," he said.
The match against Mean Machine will be a big test for Impala. Kevin Gachoka, the Mean Machine captain has three experienced players among them Wilson K'Opondo, Moses Mukabane, Odera Owino and Eric Madegwa who are capable of going through the toughest defence.
In the backs, Harry Shiverenje, Isaac Makori and scrum-half Felix Wanjala are the key players.
Strathmore University have had a tough start to the Kenya Cup season. The shorter version of the game suits their running style. Coach Mitch Ocholla's only headache could be the visiting Makerere University Impis. Joshua Gathumbi and Teddy Salano are the two play-makers for the chest-thumping team. Other players who are likely to be included in the team are Ryan Musumba, Brian Okwomi, Felix Osiemo and Michael Wanjala.
Kenya Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank have won their opening two matches and are hungry for a trophy after surrendering the Impala Floodlit trophy to Mwamba at the beginning of the season. They are coached by Bill Githinji, who is also eyeing the title.
This is a balanced side which has quality players like Paul Murunga, Jotham Yahuma, Haroun Lubisia, Sebastian Shiboka, Peter Mutai and Andrew Amonde. It will be interesting to see how they adapt their forward play to the much quicker 10's game.
Vincent Mose, the Nakuru RFC captain and full-back leads the list of the top point scorers and will be one of the players to watch. Mose has 50 points.
All the top 10 point scorers will be in Nakuru for the two-day event which has been sponsored by Celtel, Taidy's Restaurant, G4S, Evans Sunrise and Homeboyz Radio among others.
Mose will be the player to watch on a youthful Nakuru side which has Graham Kombo, Gerald Okoth and Calvin Otieno.
Nine referees and three officials have been named for the two-day tournament. They are Raymond Oruo, Godfrey Karuga, Paul Weloba, John Bosco Muamba, Karimi Mwangi, Geoffrey Pamba, Lameck Ongati, Chris Okumu and J. Ogeto. Officials are Osborne Bulemi, Ian Amagola and Sammy Kariuki.
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