Clash of titans as Kabras Sugar battle Oilers in Kenya Cup final

The stage is set for a clash of titans on Saturday at the Kakamega ASK Showground, pitting Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers.

The last three finals, hosted by Kabras Sugar, witnessed a massive turnout of spectators.

Against this backdrop, the final organisers are leaving nothing to chance. Security within and around the Showground has been beefed up.

As the saying goes, a team that will accurately and effectively pass the ball, skilfully defend, and dominate possession will claim victory.

Kabras Sugar head coach Carlos Katywa has praised their opponents but remained confident his players will retain the title.

He said Oilers have been consistent for the last three seasons but maintained that Kabras Sugar are still a force to reckon with.

Kabras are approaching the final with a positive mind but Katywa warned against complacency.

“We shall come out guns blazing. Our target remains to win the cup final. We have to be positive in our minds and establish dominance to win the game,” said Katywa.

“We are looking forward to beating our sister club. I know it is not a nice thing, but we just have to do it. I am sure they are not going to give us an easy time.”The South African tactician intends to make no changes to his starting 15. Doing so, he said, may confuse the players.

“We shall stick to our structures and continue doing what has worked for us this season. There is no new thing I intend to bring. This is the cup final and if you bring new things, then that will confuse the players and be a stepping stone towards the wrong direction,” said Katywa.

Oilers are worthy opponents who have been getting better every season. Katywa held that the Oilers have played excellent rugby this season.

Saturday’s encounter will be Kabras’ tenth straight final since they joined Kenya Cup in the 2014/15 season. They conceded just six tries in the regular fixtures this season.

“We are very careful on how to approach them (Oilers). We need to take them as seriously as we can. We saw how they bounced against KCB. It was a real beating. It means they are serious and they want to achieve something this season,” said Katywa.

Oilers head coach Gibson Weru warned Kabras to expect a tough duel. 

“We shall have no excuse when we face Kabras Sugar on Saturday,” said Weru.

Oilers are poised to approach the final with a revenge mindset, having lost 34-28 in the 2022 final at the Bulls-Ring.

However, the head-to-head favours Kabras, who have never lost to the Oilers in any Kenya Cup contest.

Kabras Sugar last lost a Kenya Cup match in February 2022, 28-20 against KCB.

Kabras has played 40 Kenya Cup and 11 Enterprise Cup matches unbeaten while Oilers suffered two defeats this season, 29-27 to KCB and 20-14 to Kabras Sugar.

This leaves the favourites as they target a fourth title in a row. Weru said the 2022 finals loss to Kabras Sugar was a bitter pill to swallow. They are keen not to repeat their costly mistakes this time around as they chase their maiden crown.

“We have grown a lot over the last three Years. One of the biggest lessons from the 2022 loss is that we have to play for 80 minutes,” said Weru.

However, he admitted it’s not going to be easy to beat a team that has consistently featured in the decider.

“We have never won a Kenya Cup game against them, but we are looking to do it now,” said Weru.

“Kabras are yet to lose a Kenya Cup match in three seasons. They have revolutionised Kenyan rugby and made the competition better. They have challenged us over the years and they have made us a better side.”

Weru expects his players to be pragmatic, brave and have stable set pieces since Kabras Sugar are the foundation of every aspect of the game.“Our attack has been very versatile and we look to use that as our strength. I am glad that the players are hungry for the trophy and the feeling among the lads ahead of the finals is amazing,” said Weru.

Before the start of the current season, the Oilers set a target of winning the title, and only 80 minutes come in between. The Nakuru-based club will seek to build on their Eric Shirley Shield title win, where they beat KCB 15-12 in Ruaraka.

“Our planning has been successful. We have planned and executed well. The leadership of the playing unit has been very robust and this has been witnessed on the pitch,” said Weru. 

It will be a milestone for Kabras’ captain, George Nyambua, who will feature in a 10th final. He joined the club in 2014 from Bungoma High School.

The final is dubbed ‘Rai Derby’. Kabras Sugar are sponsored by West Kenya Sugar Company under Managing Director Tejveer Rai. Menengai Oilers are under Menengai Oil Refineries Limited, headed by Managing Director Onkar Rai. The two companies are owned by the Rai Group, whose chairman is Jaswant Rai.

It is also being viewed as a friendly supremacy battle between brothers, Tejveer and his younger sibling, Onkar. Who between them will smile after 80 minutes?

Meanwhile, Oilers and Kabras have been major suppliers of players to the national teams. At the Singapore 7s, Shujaa had Kevin Wekesa, Brian Tanga and Jone Kubu from Kabras.

Oilers have also had John Okoth and Dennis Abukuse feature for Kenya Sevens.

Kenya Simbas have more than 10 players from Kabras Sugar. Led by Nyambua, they include Ephraim Oduor, Emmanuel Otieno, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Eugene Sifuna, Teddy Akala, Edward Mwaura, Hillary Odhiambo, Jeason Misoga, Walter Okoth, Bryceson Adaka, Griffin Chao, Barry Young, Derrick Ashiundu, Alfred Orege, Collins Indeche, Dan Angwech and Mathias Osimbo.