Kenya Cup: Mwamba, Leos on the mend, Kabras stay top
Menengai Oilers’ Samuel Mwaura tries to evade Kenya Harlequin’s Evin Asena (left) and Edward Shitanda (partly hidden) during their Kenya Cup match on January 25, 2025 at RFUEA ground.
What you need to know:
- Quins face a daunting schedule ahead, with clashes against KCB and Kabras Sugar- including an Enterprise Cup semi-final showdown with Kabras.
- “It’s like we’re playing a final every weekend. It’s tough, but this is more about mental focus than technical preparation. It’s a marathon, and it’s going to get tougher, but Quins must stay in the fight,” Murunga concluded.
Mwamba and Strathmore University Leos have breathed life into their title campaigns after securing their first victories of the Kenya Cup season at the weekend.
It was a weekend of dominance for the heavyweights, with holders Kabras Sugar, KCB, Menengai Oilers, and Nondescripts chalking up huge victories to maintain their positions at the top of the Kenya Cup league, now in its sixth round.
Homeless Mwamba put on a stellar performance, scoring five tries to dismantle the visiting South Coast Pirates 38-8 in a doubleheader at the Ngong Racecourse grounds, where Nondescripts also edged out Impala 24-20 on Saturday.
Leos were equally emphatic, tearing apart visiting Kisumu with a commanding 46-13 win to secure their first bonus-point victory of the season.
Menengai Oilers overcame hosts Kenya Harlequin in a thrilling clash at RFUEA ground. Locked at 13-13 by halftime, the visitors took control in the second half, scoring four tries to add to their earlier two and clinching a 42-28 win. The Oilers now sit third in the standings with 27 points.
Defending champions Kabras Sugar reaffirmed their intent to take the Kenya Cup final to Kakamega with a ruthless 52-6 demolition of former champions Nakuru at the Nakuru Athletic Club. The victory extended Kabras’ unbeaten run to a third season, keeping them atop the league with 30 points from six consecutive bonus-point wins.
KCB maintained pressure on Kabras, securing a 33-22 win over Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad at the varsity's grounds. Both Kabras and KCB share the top spot with 30 points each, followed closely by Oilers.
“We are not losing focus yet, as this was our first real test this season. It’s one game at a time,” said Oilers coach Gibson Weru, who anticipates a tough encounter against Nondescripts next weekend in Nakuru.
“There are teams above Quins—like KCB, Kabras, and Nondies—who have been exceptional. It tells you we’re in for a great match with Nondies, but I’m excited because these are the games that show you what’s working and what’s not,” added Weru.
Despite the bonus-point victory, Weru wasn’t entirely satisfied with his squad's performance, citing unforced errors and poor decision-making.
“These are things that get punished by organised opponents. We’ll address them before the Nondies duel. You can’t kick the ball into the enemy’s territory and then fail to handle their counterattack,” he said.
Weru also expressed confidence in his team's depth, emphasising their strong bench.
Harlequins coach Paul Murunga admitted they were outclassed by a better team. “Unlike last week, where we let Nondies get the better of us, this time we lost to a more superior side,” said Murunga.
Quins face a daunting schedule ahead, with clashes against KCB and Kabras Sugar- including an Enterprise Cup semi-final showdown with Kabras.
“It’s like we’re playing a final every weekend. It’s tough, but this is more about mental focus than technical preparation. It’s a marathon, and it’s going to get tougher, but Quins must stay in the fight,” Murunga concluded.
