KCB RFC, the reigning champions of the Impala Floodlit Rugby tournament, are gearing up to kick off their title defence against Blak Blad in the quarterfinals of the 2024 edition, set to begin on October 19 at the Impala Club. The highly anticipated tournament draw was held on Tuesday, revealing an exciting lineup for this year’s competition.
Tournament Overview
The Impala Floodlit 2024 tournament features eight teams in the club category, including KCB, who are chasing their sixth consecutive title. In addition to KCB’s clash with Blak Blad, the quarterfinals will see Menengai Oilers take on Catholic Monks, while last year’s runners-up Nondescripts will battle Strathmore Leos. Hosts Impala Saracens will face Mwamba in the final quarterfinal of the day.
In the university category, defending champions JKUAT will meet Daystar Falcons in their opening match. Rift Varsities will challenge USIU, followed by a contest between Zetech Oaks and Kabete Stallions. The final quarterfinal pits Impala Boks against KCA.
The women’s category, set to begin on October 26, will feature defending champions Mwamba Ladies against NYS Ladies, while Impala Roans will face Northern Suburbs in the semi-finals.
KCB’s Title Defence
KCB RFC enters the 2024 tournament as the team to beat. After narrowly defeating Nondescripts 25-23 in last year’s final, they are looking to extend their dominance with an 11th overall title. KCB’s journey begins against Blak Blad, a university side known for its spirited performances. The match promises an exciting showdown as Blak Blad aims to pull off an upset.
Tournament Preparations
Impala Club has been hard at work preparing for the tournament. Speaking during the draw ceremony, Impala Club Treasurer Allan Wamanga assured fans and players that everything is set for a thrilling event. “Preparations are in full gear, the pitch is in pristine condition, and we are finalizing repairs on the stands and lights to ensure both fans and players enjoy a world-class experience,” Wamanga said. He also highlighted the support of key sponsors Safaricom, Huawei, and Coca-Cola in making the event a success.
With the competition’s rich history and fierce rivalries, this year’s Floodlit tournament promises to be another thrilling spectacle. Fans can expect electrifying matchups as the top teams in Kenyan rugby go head-to-head under the lights at Impala Club.
Floodies 2024 Tournament Draw
Club Category
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Quarter-final 1: KCB vs. Blak Blad
Quarter-final 2: Menengai Oilers vs. CUEA Monks
Quarter-final 3: Nondies vs. Strathmore Leos
Quarter-final 4: Impala vs. Mwamba
Universities Category
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Quarter-final 1: JKUAT vs. Daystar Falcons
Quarter-final 2: Rift Varsities vs. USIU
Quarter-final 3: Zetech Oaks vs. Kabete Stallions
Quarter-final 4: Impala Boks vs. KCA
Women’s Category
Semi-final 1: Mwamba vs. NYS Ladies
Semi-final 2: Impala Roans vs. Northern Suburbs
