You blink, you die: 6 clubs fight for survival in Kenya Cup

Kenya Cup regular season comes to a dramatic end today afternoon with half of the teams in the league engaged in a tight relegation battle.

That only six points separate six relegation threatened teams makes the battles more alluring particularly to the neutrals.

The difference will be fine margins and the thought of dropping to the KRU Championship next season will be unbearable.

Impala (15 points), who are placed seventh followed by Nakuru (14), Strathmore Leos (13), Kisumu (13), Mwamba (12) and South Coast Pirates (9) are all battling to avoid finishing in the last two positions – the dreading relegation zone.

South Coast are the most vulnerable. The must conjure up a huge result against solid Menengai Oilers in Diani, Kwale, and miracles do happen.

Pirates that have been a darling of many with their lively jibe and banter on their social media pages, require huge bonus point victory against Oilers and hope other results go their way.

Oilers have already secured a home semi-final play-off where they will meet Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad regardless of the outcome of today’s matches.

“It’s still possible since six teams are contesting relegation. We can’t give up until it’s done,” said Pirates coach Kevin Amiani, who regretted losing to Mwamba (38-8) and Impala (30-22). “These are matches we should have won or lost by a bonus point.”

Kenya Cup final returning to Nairobi

Mwamba must pull out something special against Blak Blad if they are to survive, having been relegated last in 2001 before returning to the top flight in 2003.

“I have been to the Kenya Cup final as a player and coach but I have never felt a heavy burden like this… it is huge for me. Blak Blad have nothing to lose but we have a lot to play for. We must win at all costs ,” said Mwamba coach Mark Mshila.

Impala, who gained promotion this season, must win against Nakuru, who have been relegated only once in 2006 but are also fighting for survival.

“We have 60 per cent chances of retaining our status, having gotten maximum points from the last three games,” said Nakuru coach Simon Wariuki.
At the top, KCB yearns for their first victory since 2022 against champions Kabras Sugar in Kakamega.

There is the possibility of the Kenya Cup final returning to Nairobi for the first time since the 2018/2019 season if KCB, who currently top the 12-team league standings with 50 points, win today, and in the semis ofcourse.

A team that finished top of the table in the regular season gets the advantage of hosting the Kenya Cup final should they reach the last stage.

KCB and Kabras Sugar will host their semi-finals by virtue of claiming the first two places in the league.

Both giants are the only teams that are yet to concede this season from 10 outings.

Third successive title

While the bankers won all their matches with bonus points for a tally of 50 points, Kabras failed to secure bonus points in their last two matches for their haul of 48 points.

Notably, Kabras Sugar haven’t lost locally either in Kenya Cup or Enterprise Cup in the last three years. The last time Kabras lost was in their Kenya Cup duel against KCB, 28-20 on February 26, 2022.

Kabras Sugar have featured in the last 10 Kenya Cup finals, winning four times; 2016, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with the bankers claiming the rest.

Kabras sealed their third successive title beating KCB 29-5 in the final on April 6 last year at the Kakamega Showground, having also beaten them 14-10 in the regular season.

“These statistics won’t change now. We are not only going to win the encounter but also ensure the final is once again played at the forest,” declared Kabras coach Carlos Katywa.

The gauntlet has been thrown.

Katywa said that he expects a good game of rugby and rallied his charges to play their hearts out.