Former Kenya Cup sides Western Bulls and Impala RFC will collide in the KRU Championship quarterfinals on Saturday.
Despite a poor start, the Bulls finished fifth in the second-tier league after edging Daystar Falcons 19-8 in the last game of the regular season.
Third-placed Daystar University’s Falcons will welcome sixth-placed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Cougars in the other quarterfinal.
Regular season winners Masinde Murilo University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and second-placed South Coast Pirates have already sealed home semi-final slots.
The winner between Western Bulls and Impala will face Masinde Murilo in Kakamega while the winner in the second quarter-final will travel to Diani in Kwale for a date against South Coast Pirates.
Veteran Western Bulls halfback Allan Kasiti said they are ready for Impala.
“It has been a challenging season. We lost the first three games, including a walkover against South Coast Pirates due to a lack of funds. However, we went back to the drawing board and regrouped after the break,” said Kasiti.
“We have worked smart under Kenyan international Moses Amusala which has helped us seal a quarterfinal slot. I know it will be a very tough game against Impala but we will fight.”
Kasiti said Amusala, Bulls’ forwards coach, has been key to their success.
“He has been a big motivation to our team,” noted Kasiti.
Two teams from the KRU championships will replace Homeboyz and Catholic Monks, who were relegated from the Kenya Cup this season.