Kabeberi 7s pool C is one to look out for as three Kenya Cup sides in hosts Mwamba RFC, Nondies and Kenya Harlequin battle out for a place in cup quarters.
They will be joined by championship side Egerton Wasps who upset Quins last weekend.
Stanbic Mwamba finished third at Kakamega 7s beating Nakuru RFC 17-0 but their only defeat of the tournament came at cup semis where they went down 19-5 to eventual champions KCB
According to Mwambarugby.com, talisman Daniel Taabu will miss the home tournament after aggravating groin injury during last weekend’s Kakamega Sevens. He will be replaced by Meshack Oboto, making his sevens bow for Kulabu.
The rest of the squad remains as it was last weekend with Billy Odhiambo continuing his captaincy role alongside Eliakim Kichoi. Steve Sikuta, Alex Aturo, Michael Agevi and Mike Okello will be tasked with forward duties.
Pocket rocket Ronnie Omondi will link up with Collins Injera, Tony Omondi, Greg Odhiambo and Joel Inzuga in the backline. Jeremy Chimwani will be the 13th player on tour.
Kenya Harlequin had a weekend to forget as they lost all five matches they played at Kakamega 7s.
Head Coach Charles Cardovillis recalled Kenya 7s International Herman Humwa to the 13-man squad to Meru with Ambrose Curtis, Jasper Ochen and Iddi Kakai missing out. There’s a place for Eric Shikuku and Brian Onyiego.
Angote will captain Quins in Peru with Osino and Aluda Beda named as his assistants.
Nondies will be without four key players who were in Kakamega last weekend as they are ruled out with various issues.
Alex Magoma is ruled out as he is sick, Fidel Oloo has travelled to Zambia with Kenya Simbas, Peter Makuba is out on work commitments while Steven Odhiambo is graduating at Kenyatta University.
They are replaced by Steven Ortice, James Evans, Victor Madiorio and Mark Ongayo(pictured) who has since returned from Kenya Cup rivals Homeboyz where he spent a season.
Nondies reached 5th place final at Kakamega 7s where they lost 12-21 to Strathmore Leos.
Egerton Wasps secured a challenge trophy semis finish at Kakamega 7s and will be looking to upset the Kenya Cup sides in this pool.
They once again face Kenya Harlequin who they beat 10-0 in pool matches. The Wasps will be led by Maurice Achola.
Pool C Team News
Mwamba: 1. Billy Odhiambo 2. Steven Sikuta 3. Michael Agevi 4. Alex Aturo 5. Eliakim Kichoi 6. Ronnie Omondi 7. Collins Injera 8. Tony Omondi 9. Joel Inzuga 10. Greg Odhiambo 11. Mike Okello 12. Meshack Obota 13. Jeremy Chimwani
Nondies: 1.Benjamin Marshall 2.Phares Mbadi 3.Mark Ongayo 4.Saidi Sumba 5.Ian Mabwa (c) 6.Moses Begi 7.Dennis Ombachi 8.Henry Fullbright 9.Steven Ortice 10.Daniel Okito 11.Jeremy Matata 12.James Evans 13.Victor Madiorio
Egerton Wasps: 1.Caleb Malemo 2.Edwin Anunda 3.Teddy Aguko 4.Calvin Kiprono 5.Barry Opondo 6.Solomon Rabin 7.Maurice Achola(c) 8.Paul Bulowa 9.Raphex Oyugi 10.Gilbert Onsare 11.Edwin Kiptoo 12.Brian Ndege 13.Jack Naphtali
Quins: 1. Kevin Angote (C) 2. Hillary Barasa 3. Brian Waraba 4. Brighton Mwalawa 5. Dennis Otieno 6. Herman Humwa 7. Dominic Osino (VC) 8. Matt Wanjia 9. Jacob Okumba 10. Eric Shikuku 11 Aluda Beda (VC) 12. Mike Ochieng 13. Brian Onyiego
Fixtures:
Nondies vs Egerton Wasps
Stanbic Mwamba vs Kenya Harlequin
Nondies vs Kenya Harlequin
Stanbic Mwamba vs Egerton Wasps
Stanbic Mwamba vs Nondies
Quins vs Egerton
