Nondescripts halfback Ian Mumbwani feeds his backs from a scrum down during a Kenya Cup match against Kenya Harlequin at Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground last season. Nondies face Kabras Sugar in a Kenya Cup semi-final match on Saturday in Kakamega.
Nondescripts have beaten Kenyan champions Kabras Sugar only once, in the 2014/2015 season when the sugar millers were making their debut in the top flight league.
Since then White Shirts have gone on to lose eight consecutive matches to the new sheriffs in town.
Nondies are the most successful club in Kenya Cup with an unprecedented 17 titles, though their last triumph came way back in 1998.
After giving the four-time defending Kenya Cup champions a scare during the regular season before losing 7-3 in Kakamega on February 22, can Nondies produce the unthinkable on Saturday, and win?
The two sides will engage for the second consecutive time in the semi-finals.
Kabras Sugar prevailed 37-9 in last season's semi-final on their way to winning a fourth Kenya Cup title, and third in a row, beating KCB 19-9 at Kakamega Showground.
Nondies will be coming up against a supremely confident Kabras Sugar that are unbeaten over the last three season in all competitions
Kabras Sugar have featured in the last nine Kenya Cup finals starting from their 2014/2015 debut season.
In the eyes of Nondies, fondly known as Red Lion, and any pundit, the Kabras are formidable side moreso when playing at Kakamega Showground aka the “Forest” and could be equated to the “unsinkable” Titanic.
Can Nondies sink Kabras at the Forest?
“It’s quite possible and our hopes are high since we have been working for it having come close to beating them a month ago,” said Nondies skipper eighthman Steve Oduor.
The loose forward said that they have worked on the mistakes that saw them narrowly lose to Kabras Sugar.
“Indiscipline cost us and we are polishing up,” said Oduor.
Nondies dismissed Kenya Harlequin 38-22 in the semis play-offs last Saturday and will feel they can offer some decent opposition, and perhaps more.
“We must be physically and mentally ready since it’s going to be a tough and challenging game,” said Oduor, who may be the underdogs but are ready to bite.
“We shall take the bull by its horns on Saturday and there will be no escape.”
Nondies coach Oliver Callum reckoned was wary by eager.
“We have a strategy in place to pressure them for 80 minutes and make sure we don’t give them possession,” said Callum. The Nairobi-based White Shirts travel to Kakamega today..
Head-to-head
2014/2015: Kabras 16 Nondies 18
2015/2016: Kabras 53 Nondies 3
2016/2017: Kabras 31 Nondies 15
2017/2018: Nondies 20 Kabras 40
2018/2019: Nondies 5 Kabras 41
2019/2020: Nondies 3 Kabras 34, Kabras 26 Nondies 10
2023/2024: Kabras 40 Nondies 0, Kabras 37 Nondies 9
2024/2025: Kabras 7 Nondies 3
