Kabras' Griffin Chao is tackled by George Ooro of KCB as Jackson Siketa and Samuel Asati close in/HANDOUTKabras RFC Sevens coach Ntabeni Dukisa hopes their Driftwood Sevens triumph will provide momentum for the final two legs of the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit next month.
The Kakamega-based side bounced back from an underwhelming Kabeberi Sevens campaign a fortnight ago to beat rivals KCB 15-5 in an entertaining final, moving within three points of the circuit leaders with the Embu and Christie Sevens remaining.
The South African tactician praised his charges for responding strongly to their Kabeberi disappointment.
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“We were disappointed with our performance, so we were determined to right the wrongs of the past tournament. Now it gives us the momentum heading to the next tournament,” said Dukisa.
The return of teenage stars Rayvone Ambale and Jackson Siketa, alongside the experience of Jone Kubu and Kevin Wekesa and the playmaking skills of Michael Lukusi, proved crucial for the Kenya Cup champions.
“Everything came together for us this weekend. We worked on our ball handling as well as our attack. We tidied up everything and we are delighted to come away with victory,” added Dukisa.
Kabras have now won two tournaments — Dala and Driftwood — while KCB have claimed the Prinsloo and Kabeberi titles.
Dukisa’s charges opened their Driftwood campaign with a 43-0 thrashing of hosts Mombasa Sports Club before beating Nondescripts 12-0. They then drew 17-17 with Kenya Harlequin to top Pool A.
In the Main Cup quarter-finals, Kabras beat Uganda Select 27-5 before dispatching Daystar Falcons 19-0 in the semi-final.
Despite trailing KCB 5-0 at half-time in the final, Kabras maintained their composure and raised the tempo after sensing their opponents were tiring.
“We have a very young core and we are able to get over the advantage line. Despite trailing 5-0 at half-time in the final against KCB, I could tell our opponents were tiring, so we played at a fast pace and it paid off,” said Dukisa.
He expects the Embu and Christie Sevens to provide another stern test, warning that the unpredictable nature of the format makes it difficult to pick favourites.
“Sevens is unpredictable. A week ago we were nowhere near the final. Look at Strathmore — they were in the final at Kabeberi but struggled at Driftwood," he said. "So we go back home, recover and start preparing. We take one game at a time.”
