Kenya Cup: Kabras beat KCB to retain title, join elite club
By Joel Sang, April 6, 2024
Kabras Sugar retained the Kenya Cup title after beating their bitter rivals KCB in a showdown staged at Kakamega Showground on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
The 29-5 win saw the Sugar Millers win the cup and become one of the clubs to have achieved a three-peat in the tournament’s history. Impala, Kenya Harlequin, Nondies, and KCB Rugby are the other clubs that have won the three-peat since 1970.
The win in Kakamega is a testament to just how dominant the Kabras have been against the Bankers; they now enjoy four wins in a row under coach Carlos Katywa. Katiwa has had an impressive run with the giants after going 26 matches unbeaten.
Meanwhile, Kabras got down to business almost immediately and registered the first points in the third minute when Brian Tonga and Walter engineered a swift attacking move before the former scored behind the posts.
A conversion by Ntabeni Dukisa saw the home side earn a 7-0 lead. The lead was stretched ten minutes later following a penalty and a try from Kevin Wekesa. Dukisa should be given credit for a clever chip.
KCB’s Griffin Musila was yellow-carded, and this gave Kabras a numerical advantage in a contest they dominated.
The third try was scored by Dukisa, who missed a conversion earlier on, but this time around he was successful as their lead stretched to 22-0.
Dukisa was sin-binned, and KCB wasted no chance as they scored a try through Vincent Onyala. The Bankers were unlucky, as a conversion by Darwin Mukidza was unsuccessful.
The second half started on a difficult note for KCB with Elvis Olukusi, who, following an infringement, was sin-binned.
Kabras scored their fourth try after Tonga’s clever, routine quick start caught the opponents off guard. A conversion by Dukisa gave the Kenya Cup winners a 29-5 lead as they claimed their third consecutive title.
Kabras, KCB start
Kabras RFC: 1. Emmanuel Otieno 2. Eugene Sifuna 3. Asuma Mugerwa 4. David Bunduki 5. Brian Juma 6. George Nyambua (C) 7. Kelvin Wekesa 8. Gabriel Adero 9. Brian Tanga 10. Barry Robinson 11. Lamec Ambetsa 12. Walter Okoth 13. Bryceson Adaka 14. Alfred Orege 15. Ntabeni Dukisa Reserves: 16. Teddy Akala 17. Edward Mwaura 18. Ephraim Oduor 19. Hillary Odhiambo 20. William Mwanjii 21. Patrick Lumumba 22. Jeanson Misoga 23. Brian Mutua
KCB RC: 1. Oscar Simiyu 2. Griffin Musila (C) 3. Wilhite Mususi 4. Emanuel Silungi 5. Andycole Omollo 6. Elvis Olukusi 7. Felix Ojow 8. Kolian Persian 9. Samuel Asati 10. Levi Amunga 11. Austin Sikutwa 12. Bob Muhati 13. Vincent Onyala 14. Michael Wamalwa 15. Darwin Mukidza Reserves 16. Fidel Maina 17. Patrick Ouko 18. Nelson Nyandat 19. Davis Chenge 20. Peter Waitere 21. Brian Wahinya 22. Festus Shiasi 23. Peter Kilonzo