Blak Blad's Brian Obare in action against KCB during a recent league match/HANDOUT

Improvement in set-piece execution and attacking efficiency will be key as Blak Blad prepare for a mouthwatering Kenya Cup semi-final clash against champions Kabras Sugar RFC on Saturday.

Head coach Bernard Rotich believes his side must rise to the decisive moments if they are to reach their first-ever Kenya Cup final.

“Playoff rugby is owning key moments. If we can do that and stay in the fight for the eighty minutes then we can qualify for the final,” Rotich said.
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He emphasised the importance of dominance in the fundamentals.
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“For me the key will be to win the scrum and lineout which are foundations of 15s rugby. We need to gain parity in there as well be sharp in our attack. In our quarterfinal win against Strathmore we had several chances which we did not capitalise but credit we still won,” he added.
Blak Blad booked their semi-final slot with a narrow 27-25 victory over Strathmore Leos at Madaraka, avenging a 32-30 pool-phase loss earlier in the season.
The Kenyatta University-based side has now reached the knockout stages in successive campaigns, having previously fallen short at the same hurdle.
They lost 24-14 to Menengai Oilers in the 2024-2025 season and 57-17 in the 2023-2024 campaign.
Rotich insists his side is playing with freedom after already surpassing their season target.
“Our goal was for a home quarterfinal in the playoffs but to qualify for the semifinals we have overachieved and the pressure will be on the home team,” he noted.
The last meeting between the two sides in February saw Kabras grind out a 26-16 win, and Rotich expects another tight contest.
“We pushed them close in the last meeting in the pool phase, it was a close battle and I expect the same,” he said.
Blak Blad will hold three training sessions this week as they fine-tune their approach against a Kabras side unbeaten in 53 matches.
“We know what we are up against. The boys are relishing the battle and with our energetic team we can push them all the way,” Rotich added.
The other semi-final will see Nondescripts RFC face KCB RFC, with the final scheduled for May 2 in Kakamega.