Menengai Oilers make big statement with Impala Floodlit tournament victory

The Oilers skipper, Ibrahim Ayoo said the team has had the best pre-season training, during which they travelled to Uganda for build-up matches, something he believes will spur them to a maiden Kenya Cup victory.

Ayoo explained that the team has retained their squad from last season, a move that will enhance quality and game management, which was evident in the team’s Impala Floodlit victory over Nondescripts in the final. It is the third time Menengai Oilers have won the tournament.

 Oyoo also said that the two-week training sessions the team undertook under the guidance of former South Africa Under-20 head coach, Bafana Nhleko, have completely changed their game management and approach.

Nhleko was appointed head coach of the Junior Springboks in 2023 and 2024, and joined Springbok Women as an assistant coach this year.

Read: Kabras Sugar lord it over Menengai Oilers in Enterprise Cup final

Nhleko worked as head coach of the Golden Lions Under-21 rugby team that won the 2018 South Africa Under-21 Championship. He joined South Africa Rugby’s coaching ranks on November 1, 2018, as the Junior Springbok assistant coach.

 In October 2018, the Golden Lions U21 coach signed a four-year deal with South Africa Rugby that will see him continue in his role as Junior Boks assistant coach.

“Bafana has really helped in our game management, something that cost us victory in the Kenya Cup final against Kabras Sugar last season,” said Oyoo, adding that the team contained Nondies for long spells in Saturday’s final.

The Oilers lost to Kabras Sugar 27-26 in a tense Kenya Cup final match on April 12, this year in Kakamega. It was the second time the Oilers featured in the final, having lost to Kabras 34-28 on March 24, 2022.

On both occasions, Oilers left Kabras fans on the edge of their seats. In April, talisman Elkeans Musonye landed a try, and the resultant conversion brought them a point closer, 27-26.

The Oilers went on the attack but conceded a penalty inside Kabras Sugar’s 22m, and Kenya Sevens star Jone Kubu kicked the ball out, and the game ended. It was Kabras Sugar’s fifth Kenya Cup title, and their fourth in a row. Kabras Sugar have featured in the last 10 Kenya Cup finals.

Read: Menengai Oliers look to turn the corner in Impala Floodlit semis against Blak Blad

“We sat with the management at the end of last season and insisted on the importance of retaining the squad, and they listened to us. That adds to our strength in the new season,” Oyoo said.

“The Kabras Sugar side that beat us last season had 21 players, who had featured in the last seven Kenya Cup finals,” noted Oyoo, adding that they always lost players at the end of the season and that hit them hard as they tried to fill in the positions.

Oilers skipper Abraham Oyoo revealed that they have “listened to the ground” and this is now the season that they will go full throttle to end their big brother, Kabras Sugar’s, unbeaten run in three seasons.

“You see, everyone now believes that we are the team that can bring Kabras Sugar’s dominance to an end this season more than we even believe ourselves,” said Oyoo. “We have everyone’s support, then who are we not to go for it.”

Oyoo said that getting used to playing in the final in the backdrop of many fans is what his team needed to bring out the best in them.

“We now have the experience and good mental framework to handle finals,” said Ayoo.

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