Weru eyes double as he assembles squad for Eric Shirley Shield finale
KCB will be out to put aside what has been a frustrating season with near misses
Gibson Weru might well be forgiven for being ambitious and full of belief at this point as he looks at succeeding in uncharted territory beginning this weekend.
The Menengai Oilers wants to make his own history by leading his two sides to two victorious finals. This Saturday he begins his charge with an ESS (Eric Shirley Shield) finale tug against KCB RFC at the KCB Sports Club tomorrow afternoon with the B Team.
Already, Coach Weru has named his quad for the do or die challenge in what is expected to be a cracker with the hosts seeking revenge after being booted out by last weekend in the Kenya Cup semi-finals thus missing a final sport for the first time in four years.
Some of the key players in the mid-afternoon match will include Kenya Simbas winger Beldad Ogeta who returns after being sent out in the last duel against Kabras RFC. His return means the back three for this important contest is back in shape with Alvin Khavoli and Eric Ogutu as the full backs. Collins Okoth at scrum half and Tony Oketch at fly-half are key ingredients for Weru’s team as they will seek to do damage to KCB’s rear. Eugene Etale and Argwings Owino are also key components in the matrix playing as locks in the game for the Nakuru-based side.
Additionally for the Oilers, centre Eric Omanga is available alongside Stephen Arunga and Anthony Awino partnering in the middle of the pack to add stamina and control in that important department. The flankers for the team are the duo of Paywick Munoko and Calvin Malewa with pace needed even as the front trio of Byron Cornel, Reuben Njoroge and Bruce Endovo get eager for battle in the away fixture for what will be huge silverware if Weru and his technical bench muster a tactful strategy.
Meanwhile, KCB, which under Coach Oliver Mang’eni is still smarting from last weekend’s defeat, will be out to put aside what has been a frustrating season with near misses.
“We need to come up with something to put a smile on our faces because to be honest, it has been a disappointing season for us. Team 2 has a chance to redeem themselves and fight for a silverware. The expectation simply is to win and indeed our preparations have been good. We have trained well on all aspects so it is all about executing the plan on match day,” he said.
