Oilers seek to stop Kabras juggernaut in Kenya Cup final
Griffins Chao (right) of Kabras RFC gets past Timothy Omela of Menengai Oilers during their Kenya Cup match at Nakuru Showground on March 1, 2025.
What you need to know:
- This will be the second final meeting between the two “brother” teams as they fight for the 55th Kenya Cup title.
- Since their debut in 2018, Oilers are yet to beat Kabras Sugar, who hold a three-season unbeaten run in Kenya Cup.
Defending champions Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers clash in the 2024/2025 Kenya Cup final at the Kakamega Showground today.
This will be the second final meeting between the two “brother” teams as they fight for the 55th Kenya Cup title. Kabras prevailed 34-28 in the 2022 final played at the Bullring, Kakamega.
Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers are sponsored by West Kenya Sugar Limited and Menengai Oilers Refineries respectively. The two companies are owned by the Rai family.
Since making their debut in Kenya Cup in 2018, Oilers are yet to beat Kabras Sugar, who hold a three-season unbeaten run in Kenya Cup.
Since their Kenya Cup debut during the 2014, Kabras Sugar have made it to all the Kenya Cup finals. Today’s will mark their 10th successive appearance.
Kabras Sugar will be going for their fourth straight title and five in history.
The sugar millers, under South African coach Carlos Katywa, will be looking to join the club four back-to-back winners of Kenya Cup titles that has Nondescripts and Impala.
It is Menengai Oilers’ second Kenya Cup final and their coach Gibson Weru will be keen to guide his charges to victory and become the second side from Great Rift to claim the gong after Nakuru Rugby Club in 2014.
Only two clubs from outside Nairobi have won the Kenya Cup -- Kabras Sugar and Nakuru.
A confident Katywa said they had left no stone unturned in their preparations.
“We met the Oilers in the final two seasons ago. They are a new outfit and quite unpredictable. We have done our homework well,” said Katywa, adding that he expects a fired up Oilers and expects the game to be won physically and tactically.
“A team that dominates the set-pieces and takes its chances will win,” said Katywa
“We shall embrace our home ground advantage and our fans to push us to victory.”
Kabras beat nemesis KCB 29-5 at a sold out Kakamega Showground in last year’s final. The sugar men remain little changed from the team that crushed Nondescripts 45-6 in the semi-final two weeks ago.
Katywa has brought in William Mwanji and Brain Mutua replacing Griffin Chao and Alfred Oreg, who drop to the bench.
Kenya Sevens Kelvin Wekesa returns to the starting lineup while Jone Kubu and Brian Tanga start on the bench.
Oilers are relishing the battle against their “bigger brother”. Coach Weru said they have grown over the years and now what it will take to bring down Kabras.
“We are aware Kabras haven’t lost in three years. We shall need good tactics and concentration to beat them and we are equal to the task,” said Weru.
Weru has stuck to the squad that destroyed KCB 31-8 in the semi-final at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka fortnight ago. Weru has a front row choice of Francis Atiti, Victor Were, Celestine Mboi, Vincent Mwikhali and Destrious Ifedha.
The back five will be marshalled by skipper Ibrahim Ayoo with Fortune "Torpedo" Arturo leading the midfield alongside Amos Obae, Samuel Ovwamu and Timothy Omela.
“I just want to go all the way with the boys. It will be such a great honour being among the few players to have won the Kenya Cup four times," said Kabras Sugar captain George Nyambua.
His Oilers counterpart Ayoo reckoned that today is their day.
"We won Impala Floodlit at the start of the season. We want this Kenya Cup like never before," said Ayoo.
Tejveer Rai, the Managing Director (MD) of West Kenya Sugar and his younger brother Onkar Rai, who is the MD at Menengai Oil Refineries are routing for their sides.
“Rai Group recognises that there was a wealth of rugby talent out there, but many players lacked the platform to showcase their abilities. That’s why we decided to make a significant investment in Kabras Sugar,” said Tejveer.
“Having these two clubs face off again is something I’ve really wanted to see. It reflects the high level of commitment shown by the coaches and players, both in training and on the pitch. It’s safe to conclude that, right now, Oilers and Kabras are the two best clubs in Kenya,” said Onkar.
The Oilers will meet Kabras Sugar in the Enterprise Cup final on April 24.