Menengai Oilers head Coach Gibson Weru has made five adjustments in their Match Day 3 squad ahead of Saturday’s home clash against Kisumu RFC at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.
Fresh from a 97-06 win over Impala, coach Weru has fine-tuned his selections, particularly in the front row and midfield, restoring familiar combinations that have served the Oilers well in previous campaigns.
The front row returns to the tried-and-tested trio of Cornel Byrone at loosehead, Celestine Mboi at hooker, and Destrious Ifedha at tighthead. Byrone and Mboi, who both featured off the bench in the last outing, reclaim starting duties, while Victor Were drops out of the 23.
In the second row, Wallace Onyango, previously a reserve, steps back into the starting lineup alongside Argwings Owino, replacing Ibrahim Ayoo, who shifts to the bench. The back row of Jadah Abdon, captain Amos Obae, and number eight Samuel Were remains unchanged, offering stability and physicality around the breakdown.
The backline has also been realigned to its traditional shape. John Okoth resumes his role at inside centre, linking up with outside centre Philip Okeyo, restoring the midfield pairing that drives the Oilers’ attacking structure. This adjustment allows wingers Timothy Omela and Daniel Kipchirchir to return to their natural positions, with the reliable Abutwalib Wesonga retained at fullback.
The last meeting between the sides came at the start of the 2024/25 season, where the Oilers overpowered Kisumu 76–13, showcasing superiority in set-piece dominance and backline execution. With home advantage and a reinforced squad, the Oilers will be confident of extending their strong start.
MATCH DAY 3 SQUAD
Starting XV 1 Byrone Cornel,2.Celestine Mboi,3.Destrious Ifedha,4.Wallace Onyango,5.Argwings Owino,6.Jadah Abdon,7.Amos Obae (C),8.Samuel Were,9.Keegan Clarkson,10.Samuel Mwaura,11.Timothy Omela,12.John Okoth,13.Philip Okeyo,14.Daniel Kipchirchir,15.Abutwalib Wesonga Replacements 16. Fortune Aturo,17. Allan Ochieng,18. Bruce Endovo,19. Ibrahim Ayoo,20. Elkeans Musonye,21. Andrew Odero,22. Chrispine Shitundo,23. Beldad Ogeta
English