Kabras, KCB renew rivalry as 2021 Kenya Cup season draws to a close
The 2021 Kenya Cup season comes to an on Saturday when the defending champions KCB lock horns with Kabras Sugar in the final.
After a 35-17 over Menengai Oilers in the semis, KCB will head into the match a confident side whereas Kabras Sugar will be hoping to cut down on defensive errors after a 39-19 home win against Strathmore Leos.
The final pitting the Bankers and the Sugar Millers is a sixth consecutive cup final for Kabras who overcame in form Strathmore Leos thanks to a one-man brilliance executed by winger Derrick Ashihundu who bagged a hat-trick in a match Kabras led 28-7 at half time but had a bruising second-half where two tries and a conversion were conceded.
The other semi-final also saw Olympian and Kenyan international winger Jacob Ojee score a hat-trick as KCB also won by five tries.
Speaking after the win, KCB coach Curtis Olago said he will bring in experts to review what will work for them on Saturday when the Bankers attempt to write off last month’s 30-23 loss to their rivals at the same ground.
“I only thank God for the final. It was a good game, very tactical rugby from both sides. We had worked on our defensive ability but we still need to be more sharper on the red zones.
We will be reviewing with my technical team on our final plans. No celebration for us, it’s just a battle won. There’s still work ahead,” Olago told People Sport on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Menengai Oilers coach Gibson Weru saw lots of positives in the loss and they will be a team to watch out for in the incoming Impala floodlights rugby 15 aside tournament.
“It was a tough match as expected, KCB was very efficient in the right zones while we made a lot of mistakes but we picked all the positives and move forward to the next season where we want to breach the gap between us and the two cup finalists,” said Weru.
Heading into the cup finals set to be aired live by K24 TV, Kenya Rugby Union chairman Oduor Gangla, who was present during the cup semi-finals, is grateful to their broadcast rights partner Mediamax for making the league a success.
“The league is a success thanks to brave partners like Mediamax who give the fans the real feel of the game from the comfort of their homes and we are looking forward to a memorable cup final,” said Gangla.
