KCB's Samuel Asati runs past Kabras defence during the Driftwood Sevens final/ HANDOUT KCB head coach Andrew Amonde says the bankers are heading to the fifth leg of the National Sevens Circuit in Embu with a clear mission... to collect maximum points and tighten their grip on the title race.
The bankers arrive in Embu perched at the top of the standings with 76 points, with just two legs remaining in the campaign.
Arch-rivals Kabras Sugar are breathing down their necks in second place on 73 points, while Menengai Oilers sit third with 58 points, setting up another thrilling battle for supremacy.
KCB will be eager to bounce back after finishing runners-up at the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa a fortnight ago.
The bankers fell 15-5 to Kabras Sugar in the main cup final, with their fierce rivals denying them another tournament crown.
Despite that setback, KCB have enjoyed a superb campaign, lifting both the Prinsloo 7s and Kabeberi 7s titles while producing the consistency that has propelled them to the summit of the standings.
They opened the season by defeating Kabras 19-12 to clinch the Prinsloo 7s before edging Strathmore Leos 14-12 in a pulsating Kabeberi 7s final last month.
Amonde said he has been impressed by his side’s performances but insists there is no room for complacency.
“We have had a good run so far, but we know there is still a lot of work to do. Finishing second in Mombasa showed that we are competitive, but it also reminded us that we must be more clinical when it matters most,” Amonde said.
“Our focus now is Embu, where we want to collect maximum points and keep ourselves in a strong position going into the final leg."
For the Embu showdown, KCB are in Pool A alongside Mombasa Sports Club, Blak Blad and Kisumu RFC.
Amonde believes every fixture will demand full intensity, warning that there are no easy matches at this stage of the competition.
“The pool is competitive and we have to approach every game with the right mentality. Our objective is to take it one match at a time, execute our game plan and give ourselves the best chance of going all the way,” he noted.
The former Kenya Sevens captain said the mood in camp is upbeat ahead of the weekend’s action.
“The players are motivated and ready for the challenge,” he added.
Adding further fuel to KCB’s title charge is the memory of last season’s 31-21 defeat to Strathmore Leos in Embu.
Captain Brian Wahinya said that painful loss has become a driving force for the squad.
“Last season’s result against Strathmore is still a motivation for us. We came close, but 31-21 showed us how fine the margins are at this level," he said.
“This season, we have worked hard to put ourselves in a better position and we want to make the most of the opportunity we have,” he said.
