The Bamburi Rugby Super Series enters its knock out stage with two semi -finals slated for today in Nairobi and Kampala.
The match at Nairobi’s RFUEA grounds pits Top Fry Ndovu against UAP Papa. Ndovu finished top of Pool B with a 100 per cent record, signing off with a 33-10 away win over Rwenzori inKampala last weekend while Papa emerged runners up in Pool A, falling to a 10-28 defeat at the hands of Bollore Nyumbu in their final pool game.
When these two sides step out onto the RFUEAturf on Saturday, fans will be treated to a re-enactment of the Nakuru RFC- KCB rivalry that was witnessed during the just ended Kenya Cup season.
This is due to the fact that Ndovu is heavily laden with players from Nakuru while Papa has quite a large number of KCB players and it will be interesting to see how this rivalry plays out on the BRSS stage, especially when you consider that a place in the championship match on June 1 awaits the winner of this clash.
Cross-border rivalry
Across the border in Kampala, Rwenzori play Kenya’s Bollore Nyumbu in what should be another cracker of a game.
Despite losing their final Pool B fixture against Ndovu, Rwenzori were already assured of a home semi-final after winning their opening two matches and they probably took their foot off the gas pedal.
Expect them to be at full throttle against a Nyumbu side that has been in imperious form throughout the group stages.
Both sides have a heavy sprinkling of players who will do duty for the Ugandan and Kenyan national teams during the Elgon Cup and the Africa Cup, and this could be viewed as a preamble to more clashes between Kenya and Uganda later this year. This is a must-watch clash for the folks ofKampala.
Ndovu qualified for the semis of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series with a 2-1-0 record to top Pool B with 12 points. UAP Papa qualified second from Pool A with a 2-0-1 record.
Players to watch in Ndovu franchise squad are Martin Muita, Lawrence Buyachi, Godfrey Mbeya, Mike Okombe while for Papa are Fabian Olando, Oliver Mang’eni, Curtis Lilako and Lavin Asego.
On their part, Nyumbu qualified for the semis of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series with a 3-0-0 record to top Pool A with 14 points and players to watch are Wilson Kopondo, Kevin Keegan, Vincent Mose.
Rwenzori qualified second from Pool B with a 2-0-1 record and players to watch are Joseph Aredo and Chris Lubanga.
Saturday’s Fixtures
Kengewa v Mumias Sugar Kiboko (2pm), Top Fry Ndovu v Papa (4pm) RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi.
Nyumbu v Rwenzori (4pm) Kyadondo Grounds,Kampala.
By Feverpitch Reporter, The Standard
