NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – KCB RFC have said they will come out all guns blazing as they take on Kabras Sugar in what is expected to be an explosive Kenya Cup final at the Kakamega Showground on Saturday.
The bankers’ only loss in the regular season was at the hands of the Rainmakers just a fortnight ago, and they will not only be going to avenge for that loss, but also reclaim the Kenya Cup title which they lost last year.
“We are of course excited for this match because it is a culmination of the season’s work and it doesn’t get better than this, playing against Kabras who are worthy opponents,” assistant coach Dennis Mwanja said.
Their last meeting on February 18 ended with Kabras winning 29-23 in Nairobi and Mwanja says they have learnt their lessons from that game and will look to do better.
“We will be very cautious as we approach this game owing to the fact we lost to them, but a final is a different ballgame from the regular season. It is all systems go for us and we will have all guns firing. There is no holding back going to this game,” Mwanja said.
He added; We usually play according to different scenarios and most of the time it changes due to reaction to different scenarios. In that game, it later on emerged that we kicked too much and maybe we should not have.”
“We are going to be smarter this time in our options and utilize our chances because you never know ho many you might have in a game as such. Everyone is raring to go and we want to reclaim our rightful sport in rugby.”
The bankers lost their title last season after they lost to Menengai Oilers in the semis and this time, they have ensured they cut their right path to the final.
Kabras host the final by virtue of being seeded top in the regular season and they will have the home ground advantage against KCB.
This will be the 16th meeting between the two sides since they first clashed in 2014.
Overall, KCB have won 11 of their 15 previous encounters while Kabras have won 3. One match has ended in a draw.
Defending champions Kabras have two Kenya Cup titles to their name, winning in 2016 with a 22-5 final win over Impala at the Impala Club and last season when they beat the Oilers 35-28 at the Bull Ring in Kakamega.
The bankers have been the most successful recently and have eight titles to their name; 2005, 2006, 2007,2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Declared match day squads
Kabras Sugar:
- Ntabeni Dukisa, 14. Mathias Osimbo, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. Walter Okoth, 11. Alfred Orege, 10. Brian Tanga, 9. Dan Ang’wech, 1. Ephraim Oduor, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Hilary Mwanjilwa, 4. Elphas Emong, 5. Brian Juma, 6. Kevin Wekesa, 7. Daniel Sikuta, 8. Jeanson Musoga REPLACEMENTS 16. Teddy Akala, 17. Emmanuel Otieno, 18. Asuman Mugerwa, 19. Hillary Odhiambo, 20. George Nyambua, 21. Barry Robinson, 22. Jone Kubu, 23. Lameck Ambetsa
COACH: Carlos Katywa
KCB
- Isaac Njoroge, 14. Darwin Mukidza, 13. Peter Kilonzo, 12. Maxwell Kang’eri, 11. Jacob Ojee, 10. Shabani Ahmed, 9. Samuel Asati, 1. Oscar Simiyu, 2. Wilfred Waswa, 3. Curtis Lilako (Capt), 4. Elvis Olukusi, 5. Davis Chenge, 6. Andrew Amonde, 7. Felix Ojoo, 8. Peter Waitere REPLACEMENTS 16. Griffin Musila, 17. Thomas Jimbo Okidia, 18. Nelson Nyandat, 19. Brian Munyali, 20. Steve Wamai, 21. Michael Wanjala, 22. Johnstone Olindi, 23. Michael Kimwele COACH Curtis Olago
