SATURDAY IS A RUGBY DAY

#NondiesLegends, #UKTritons, #ElgonCup and other Stories…

A few weeks ago… the soccer season kicked off and there was all this excited chatter from our noisy neighbors about Saturday’s returning to normal.? The EPL (English Premier League) La Liga (the Spanish Premier Division) Serie A (the Italian equivalent) and The Bundesliga (The German Top League) all kicked off to much fanfare.? Replica shirts were sold… and suddenly, scrawny guys in Nairobi were walking around with puffed-out chests wearing their Team Colours… ??. Sport does that… it’s unexplainable… it’s almost like you have been possessed.? How else do you explain that grown men can act like children and be completely unreasonable because the penalty was not awarded in their Team’s Favor?? Hehehehehe… It’s just a game… but is it? Hebu jiulize hiyo swali tena!? Wuuuueeehhh!!!

So why am I talking about Soccer on a Saturday when we all know Sato is Rugby Day?? If you don’t know, let me bring you up to speed.? The rugby season has also kicked off… So now I can pack away my Manchester United Gear and I can pull out my Rugby Jerseys for that Cool Saturday Look.? Our Soccer Cousins have us squarely beat on marketing their sport… It is the one thing rugby can learn from soccer.? As for their other loutish behaviors, they can keep to themselves.? My Nephews #Wes and #Eugo are looking at me badly. They are die-hard soccer fans and thus they do not appreciate my tone at all.? By the way, they are both excellent #Chefs so if you have a Food Gig Somewhere, Holla at me, I’m your plug! #DorahsKitchen is alive and well. See me behind the #RedTent and we can do a deal.?

But today I am conflicted!? It is a BIG rugby weekend in Nairobi. #KenyaSimbas our National Fifteen-A-Side Rugby Team takes on our brothers from across our western border the #UgandaRugbyCranes in an Epic #ElgonCup Duel from 16:00 Hours at The #RFUEA Grounds on Ngong road.? As a curtain raiser to that game, #NondiesLegends An Invitational Touring Side comprising retired legends of the game and domiciled at my Home Club #NondescriptRFC will take on the #UKTritons in a stirring encounter where bragging rights will be at stake.

The #UKTritons have just made the quick hop back across the border after playing the #UgandaLegends last weekend. ??That Legends game kicks off in 33 minutes precisely.? I hope we will be two tries up by the time I finish writing this story and get approval to Post this on a credible News Site ??. Only time will tell.? As the UK Tritons wind up their East African Rugby Tour we wish them safe skies on their return to Europe and they are most welcome to return in the future.? Shukran!

If you are still in the Digs and have no plan… Here’s one. Look for that old rugby jersey that you had forgotten about.? And mosey on out to The RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road for a wonderful day of Rugby entertainment.? I can assure you; that it will not be dull.? From the rugby, supporter chants that sometimes leave me a bit shy to show myself in public to the food and camaraderie on offer, you will have a good time.?

Plus, there is also the after-party… once the serious matters on the pitch have been dispensed with.? And if there’s one thing Rugby Folks know to do, it is how to throw a good shindig!? So Amuka!!! Time to drag yourself out of bed and join in the festive atmosphere in the stands at RFUEA.? #TheOrchid also has fix for that Hangover (you may be suffering from) with an excellent Ossobuco Bone Broth… it is to die for.? Come and try it on for yourself… on the other hand, if you fancy a good BBQ, there will be plenty of that too.? Karibu!

The Elgon Cup Game should be interesting seeing that we have not really watched the Simbas play this year.? It will be great to see what strides have been made in the game and what new talent is emerging on both sides of the fence.? Many years ago… I made my debut for Kenya Simbas playing in this very fixture way back in 1997.? It wasn't even called the #ElgonCup back then. Some of you must think I am a fossil… Hehehehe… but don’t you worry, I sometimes also think the very same. Yaani, I have been in this Kenya rugby scene for that long. Hehehehe...

In all my years of playing for Kenya, I have never lost an Elgon Cup encounter.? But times have changed and last year Uganda gave us a good spanking in Kampala, much to our dismay.? There is parity now in many areas of the game, and the Uganda Rugby Cranes can definitely hold their own.? So, Kenya Simbas better come correct, otherwise we will be drowning our sorrows in EABL’s frothy waters instead of toasting to our victory over a nice cold White Cap!? Hehehehe… You can even tell my age from the beer I drink… but who cares, Saturday is a Rugby Day!?

You see, I don’t have to say where I am on a Saturday… because it is a rugby day… where else could I be if rugby is going on.? It is my multiple entry VISA and my excuse for all manner of misdemeanors that I may commit today!? These rugby lads are good bunch of fellows… just don’t sit next to @HilaryItela, he will not let you get a word in sideways.? In fact, I am hoping that both he and @CharlesCardovillis are on Game Commentary Duties, that way they can talk their heads off in that booth and give us normal folk some peace… On the other hand, if you run into a guy called #KenThimba aka #KT, buckle your seatbelt because you will be thoroughly entertained. Hehehehehe!!! And then there is #FoxyOjal the #Luopean huyu naye, ako na staying pawa. You best be ready to party all night if you run into this fellow. But I digress… I may be accused of hate speech so let me steer clear of those conversations for now.?

Somewhere in between those two BIG Games of the day… #KCB & #Quins have decided to play a Pre-Season Friendly that Kicks off at 13:00 Hrs. at the very same venue.? So, you see how rugby is very good value for money? You get to watch 3 games for the price of 1. Very important during these tough economic times. #KenyaCup is the Local Elite Division League Kicks off next weekend so this will be a way to test the waters ahead of #MatchDay1 next Saturday.?

It is now 6 minutes to Kick-Off. #NondiesLegends Vs #UKTritons gets underway shortly… we will be hoping to see the likes of #HumphreyKhayange and his brother #CollinsInjera on the field today, flanked by the likes of #BenNyambu #LewiMaina #SteveOgada #AndewAmonde #JohnAlanNamu #JoelNganga #EddieOmondi (Our Captain) #WilsonKopondo #DarwinMukidza #KevinGachoka #MichaelMutuku #SeanEdwards and #PeterTyrell among others. (and yes, Jon Alan Namu still plays Rugby in case you did not know).? The Coach for this side is the legendary Kenya Winger #OscarOsir assisted by the tricky #LavinAsego.? I know #AukaGecheo will be sitting proudly in the stands as #Chairman of this #KenyaLegends Side, waiting to see his charges ignite before they head out to play in #Dubai7sVets next week.?

Before I forget, I want to say a BIG thank you to all the sponsors that have made these games possible.? Especially our Title Sponsor Sport Pesa. This would not be possible without you. ?I also want to thank Live Eye for the excellent Broadcast Coverage… thanks to you we can follow the games live on YouTube… so if you are not at RFUEA yet, Search for #LiveEye on YouTube and you will find the Live Stream there. ?We can catch up with you later for the Sherehe!? Ama namna gani my friend?

On the International Scene. The Autumn International Tours are in full swing.? The #AllBlacks beat #Ireland 23 points to 13, last night to kick things off nicely (so now I will be forced to endure a diatribe of nonsense from these All-Black Fans… Eeeeiiii let me brace myself) Lucky for me, today there is a whole host of matches to enjoy. Just take your pick from these juicy fixtures. England plays Australia later in what is always a cantankerous affair.? The French play Japan, Wales play Fiji and Scotland play South Africa.? So, this is a day that just keeps giving.? In case you are also wondering… the games can be watched Live at #TheOrchid, located at the RFUEA grounds on Ngong Road. ?

#WalterOrangi has saved us from Hilary Itela’s legal jargon by taking over the match commentary and he is doing a great job of it.? The game is very finely poised at this point with only 5 points the difference between the sides and only 10 minutes left to play.?

Tukutane kwa kiwanja ama at the #OrchidSportsBar… for a polite drink, lively banter, and some good nyama as we enjoy the rugby because like I said, #SaturdayIsARugbyDay and it covers a multitude of sins! You better believe it. This is #TheSidewalkProphet signing out. I will be #Mteja. Please do not try to call me until tomorrow at around this time ??

Enjoy your rugby Weekend!?

#ElgonCup #NondiesLegends #CapitalFM #KenyaRugby #Simbas #VizualDialogKe #SportPesa

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