Kabras Sugar RFC overcame an ambitious KCB Rugby 14-8 to secure a fifth consecutive Kenya Cup title in a hard-fought final played at the Kakamega Showground.
The victory saw Kabras become the first side in 42 years to clock a three-peat, joining Nondies and Impala on the list of sides with five-peat. The win also stretched their unbeaten run in Kenya Cup to 54 matches stretching back to 2022.
Kenya Cup muddy
Heavy rainfall before kickoff left the playing surface muddy, making conditions difficult for both sides despite the pitch remaining playable.
The match began at a tense pace, with both teams launching early attacks while struggling to gain territorial advantage.
KCB suffered an early setback when Festus Shiasi was sent off temporarily for a leading-arm infringement.
The slippery conditions contributed to several handling errors from both teams throughout the opening half.
KCB were the first side to threaten the scoreboard after Brian Wahinya opted to go for points following a penalty.
His first attempt drifted wide, but he later made no mistake with another effort, splitting the posts to hand the bankers a 3-0 lead.
Kabras attempted to break through KCB’s defence from a scrum but were held out by a disciplined defensive effort.
The hosts were forced into early substitutions, with Dukisa, Tanga, and Wekesa introduced into the game.
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A kick that went directly into touch brought the opening half to an end, with KCB holding a narrow 3-0 advantage at halftime.
The second half started with another setback for Kabras as Jeason Misoga was forced off after suffering a head injury.
KCB nearly extended their lead after a dangerous attacking move, but Kabras survived the pressure before eventually levelling matters through a penalty by Ntabeni Dukisa.
Wahinya later missed a penalty attempt that could have stretched KCB’s advantage, allowing Kabras to stay within touching distance.
Dukisa, playing his first match of the season, continued to prove influential and successfully converted another penalty to give Kabras their first lead of the contest.
KCB earned a penalty deep inside Kabras territory and opted for a scrum. During the sequence, Ephraim Odour was shown a yellow card, reducing Kabras to 14 men.
The bankers quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage.
Samuel Asati initiated an attack from the scrum before Festus Shiasi finished brilliantly in the far left corner for a try.
However, Wahinya failed to convert, leaving the scores tight.
An offside infringement by KCB handed Dukisa another opportunity, and he calmly slotted the penalty to leave Kabras trailing by just one point.
KCB’s hopes suffered another blow when Olukusi was sent off in the closing minutes, reducing the bankers to 14 men as the game entered its decisive phase.
Kabras eventually found the breakthrough they needed from a rolling maul, with Hillary Odhiambo touching down for the decisive try.
Kabras seal
Although Dukisa missed the conversion, the try pushed Kabras into a 14-8 lead.
The sugar men remained composed in the final moments despite conceding a late penalty and successfully defended their advantage until the final whistle.
Kabras ultimately emerged 14-8 winners to lift their fifth consecutive Kenya Cup title in front of their home supporters.
