Attention has now shifted firmly to the National Sevens Circuit, where Amonde believes KCB remain the benchmark side.

After suffering a painful 14-8 defeat to Kabras Sugar RFC in the Kenya Cup final, Andrew Amonde has urged his KCB Rugby side to shift focus to their National Sevens Circuit title defence.

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KCB secured a fifth overall title with a thrilling 15-14 victory over Strathmore Leos during the season-ending 2025 Dala Sevens final.

The Kenya Cup final at the Kakamega Showground was heavily affected by rain before kickoff, leaving the pitch soaked and muddy in difficult playing conditions.

KCB suffered an early setback when Festus Shiasi was sent to the sin bin for a leading-arm infringement. Despite being a man down, the bankers struck first through Brian Wahinya, whose penalty handed them a 3-0 lead.

The second half began with concern for Kabras after Jeason Misoga was forced off with a head injury. KCB nearly extended their advantage, but Kabras absorbed the pressure before Ntabeni Dukisa levelled the scores with a penalty.

Dukisa, making his first appearance of the season, soon added another penalty to give Kabras their first lead of the match.

KCB responded through Shiasi, who crashed over for a crucial try, although Wahinya missed the conversion.

An offside infringement by KCB then allowed Dukisa to cut the deficit to a single point before the bankers suffered another major setback late in the contest when Olukusi was sent off, reducing them to 14 men during the decisive stages.

Kabras eventually delivered the decisive blow from a rolling maul, with Hillary Odhiambo touching down for the match-winning try. Although Dukisa missed the conversion, the score was enough to seal a 14-8 victory.

The triumph saw Kabras secure a historic fifth straight Kenya Cup title while extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 54 matches dating back to 2022.

Amonde admitted experience proved decisive in the tightly contested final.

“The boys played well and they pushed themselves. I think Kabras beat us on experience. I am sure the boys will pick up lessons from this loss,” said Amonde. “This was a very close game, anyone would have won it.”

The former Kenya Sevens captain admitted costly mistakes ultimately denied KCB the title.

“When you get an opportunity you take it. We lost through a few mistakes from our side. It’s a lesson for the boys.”

Attention has now shifted firmly to the National Sevens Circuit, where Amonde believes KCB remain the benchmark side.

“The 7s is our field just like Kabras 15s is their field,” he said. “We are waiting for the opponents to come through and see who will be able to contest with us at the 7s level.”

Meanwhile, Kabras head coach Carlos Katywa praised KCB for pushing his side to the limit in a bruising final.

“I am speechless, I am so happy because it was a very tight game. KCB deserve a lot of respect out of this. We need to give them respect for how they played.”

Katywa added that maintaining pressure after halftime proved crucial to Kabras’ successful title defence.

“Every game is won in the second half. What we needed to do was maintain pressure and get KCB’s legs heavy and tired.”