IMPALA READY FOR 10’s DEFENCE
April 28, 2008
Great Rift 10’s champions Impala are leaving nothing to chance as they prepare for the tournament on Saturday and Sunday at Nakuru Athletic Club.
Coach Charles Ngovi said they aim to win all their opening matches on Saturday. “It will not be easy but we have a good squad,” the coach said. Some of the big names on the Impala side are Brian Nyikuli, Paul Sadat, Naftally Bondo, Nato Simiyu and Moses Mwole. Ngovi is wary of last year’s Kenya Rugby Football Union National Sevens champions Mwamba. “They have a good side,” he acknowledged. Mwamba will be without inspirational captain Humphrey Kayange but most of their key players – George Mbaye, Horace Otieno, Lavin Asego, Collins Injera and Paul Oketch – are available.

Hosts Nakuru are at their peak after winning their opening three Kenya Cup league matches against Strathmore University, Kenya Harlequin and Nondescripts. Nakuru could be the stage for Gibson Weru to return to top-flight competition after a shoulder surgery. But even in his absence, there are several youthful players who have emerged. Two key players are Cyprian Shimenga and Vincent Mose who have been called to the national 15’s side, which is preparing for the Elgon Cup. Mose is the leading points scorers after three weekends of Kenya Cup rugby. Other players are Simon Wariuki, Lawrence Buyachi, Ben Kamau, Sammy Warui and Che Ikongo. Organisers believe this will be the best tournament in recent memory because all the players are available before being called up for national duty. Makerere University Impis will be the only foreign team. Club secretary Abubakar Mayanja said they have a formidable side capable of reaching the final and winning the trophy.

Security arrangements are tight. In addition to the local police, G4S will have 22 guards around the perimeter wall. This year the tournament will have two standby doctors and three physiotherapists from Evans Sunrise Medical Center. Invitations have already been sent to the Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Hellen Sambili whose constituency is the nearby Mogotio.
HomeBoyz Radio are expected to provide entertainment during the event and the host club Nakuru Athletic Club already approved inspection of food courts to allow the highest cleanliness during the tourney.

2007 winners
Main Cup:  Impala
Plate:    Strathmore
Shield:    Nakuru II
MVP: Nato Simiyu.