Kabras Sugar RFC triumphed over an ambitious KCB Rugby with a score of 14-8, securing their fifth consecutive Kenya Cup title in a hard-fought final held at the ASK Showground in Kakamega County.
This victory marked a significant achievement for Kabras, making them the first team in 42 years to achieve a three-peat, joining Nondies and Impala in the exclusive club of teams with five consecutive titles. The win also extended their unbeaten run in the Kenya Cup to 54 matches, dating back to 2022.
Heavy rainfall before kickoff left the playing surface muddy, creating challenging conditions for both teams, although the pitch remained playable.
The match began at a tense pace, with both sides launching early attacks while struggling to gain territorial advantage.
KCB faced an early setback when Festus Shiasi was temporarily sent off for a leading-arm infringement.
The slippery conditions contributed to several handling errors from both teams throughout the opening half.
KCB were the first to threaten the scoreboard when Brian Wahinya attempted a penalty.
His initial effort drifted wide, but he later succeeded with another attempt, splitting the posts to give the bankers a 3-0 lead.
Kabras tried to break through KCB’s defence from a scrum but were thwarted by a disciplined defensive effort.
The hosts were forced into early substitutions, bringing Dukisa, Tanga, and Wekesa into the game.
A kick that went directly into touch brought the opening half to a close, with KCB holding a narrow 3-0 advantage at halftime.
The second half began with another setback for Kabras, as Jeason Misoga was forced off the field due to a head injury.
KCB nearly extended their lead with a dangerous attacking move, but Kabras managed to survive the pressure and eventually levelled the score with a penalty from Ntabeni Dukisa.
Wahinya later missed a penalty attempt that could have increased KCB’s advantage, allowing Kabras to stay within touching distance.
Dukisa, playing his first match of the season, continued to be influential and successfully converted another penalty, giving 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 received a yellow card, reducing Kabras to 14 men.
The bankers quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage.
Samuel Asati initiated an attack from the scrum, leading to Festus Shiasi finishing brilliantly in the far left corner for a try.
However, Wahinya failed to convert, leaving the scores tight.
An offside infringement by KCB provided Dukisa with another opportunity, and he calmly slotted the penalty, narrowing Kabras’s deficit to just one point.
KCB’s hopes were further dashed when Olukusi was sent off in the closing minutes, leaving the bankers with just 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.
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 as 14-8 winners, lifting their fifth consecutive Kenya Cup title in front of their home supporters.
