Kabras Sugar itching to claim Kenya Cup glory

Kabras Sugar are hoping history does not repeat itself when they face-off against Resolution Health Impala Saracens in the final of the Kenya Cup on Saturday afternoon in Nairobi.

The Kakamega based side lost last year’s final to KCB Lions and are out to be the second side to scoop the Cup from outside the country’s capital after 2014 winners; Nakuru RFC.

On Friday, their final training session at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Showground was a light 45 minutes affair.

The technical bench led by head coach Australian Mike Bishop had taken a back seat and let the players conduct the Captain’s run.

This is a rugby tradition that precedes match day, where players training themselves literally fine-tuning their skills and game tactics.

Kabras were in the same position last season when they reached the Cup final on their season in the top flight but were denied history at the last hurdle when they folded 27-3 when the occasion became too overwhelming for the new boys.

Bishop’s side picked themselves up and are back to vie for the trophy again and showed their mettle when they edged giants Kenya Harlequins 19-15 in a nail-biting semi last weekend.

“We are lucky to have the likes of Edwin Achayo and Anthony Ogot. That kind of experience has brought a lot into the team. They have pulled the others through, they have pulled the rest of the boys,” the head coach.

Achayo is an experienced slum-half while Ogot won the crown with KCB in 2007 and is a former Kenya international.

Bishop has vast experience coaching around the world and has been involved with clubs in Australia, Sweden, Tunisia and Greece.

The international flavour in the technical bench is also evident in the playing unit. Kabras has six foreign players, four Fijians, a Ugandan and a Cameroonian.

“These players have brought in something new, the Fijians their skill set is very good and they are really good,” captain Max Adaka who won the Cup with KCB last year, explained as he eyes a second successive title.

Their last meeting with Impala was in Kakamega in April where Kabras beat their rivals for the crown 25 – 13 revenging the 31 – 14 hammering in Nairobi a month earlier.

“Impala will definitely be the favourites we will go into the game relaxed, we will target a few of their players and put some pressure on them most likely. We will play the game with a bit of aggression,” Bishop asserted.

“We have played Impala twice, they won once and we won once, We are in it to bring the cup home,” his captain added.

The final will be played at the Impala grounds after the initial venue at the RFUEA grounds was not available.

SQUADS

Kabras Sugar

15.Jone Kubu, 14. Brian Tanga, 13. Fabian Olando, 12. Nick Barasa, 11. Beda Aluda, 10. Jone Navuso, 9. Edwin Achayo, 1. Hillary Mwanjilwa, 2. Sava Racigi, 3. Duncan Mwangi, 4. Anthony Ogot, 5. George Otieno, 6. Apensia Natabua, 7. Levi OChieng, 8. Maxwell Adaka

Replacements: 16, Joseph Amalemba, 17. Steve Ochieng, 18. Charles Uhuru, 19. Geoffrey Messo, 20. Fidel Castro Oloo, 21. Martin Juma, 22. Perminus Macharia, 23. Malik Habil

Impala Saracens

Stephen Juma, Kelvins Karani, Dennis Karani, Davis Makori, Simon Muniafu, Tyson Okoth, Paul Mutsami, Duncan Ekasi, Samson Onsomu, Nato Simiyu, Ian Minjire, Innocent Simiyu, Israel Soi, Vincent Mose, George Okowa.

Replacements: Daniel Ndome, Neville Omondi, Erick Kerre, Joel Omer, Mohammed Omollo, Anthony Nyandigisi, Samuel Motari, Meshack Tunechi