This Saturday, the Menengai Oilers will play Kabras Sugar in the 2024/25 Kenya Cup final at the ASK Showgrounds in Kakamega.
It will be the Oilers’ second appearance at the Kenya Cup final, after playing in the 2021/22 showdown against the same opponent, going down 31-28 after holding an 18-8 lead at the breather. For Kabras, it will be their tenth consecutive final appearance, their sixth straight final at home (including Nandi Bears), winning the last three on the bounce, with their other win coming in the 2015/16 season.
Saturday’s showdown is set to be a proper blockbuster, a technical and tactical master piece that will also probably serve to select the Simbas side. The two sides hold the bulk of the Simbas side that will do duty later in July at the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Uganda, and the impact on the sides is clear.
The Oilers’ 31-8 demolition of KCB in the semis was probably the clearest of indicators, playing a highly tactical and territorial game, controlled off the 9-10-15 axis, which the Simbas are probably looking to do come July. The trio of Onsomu at scrum half, Mwaura at flyhalf, and Abutwalib at 15 conducted play with ruthless efficiency, dictating pace and territory, playing at the right areas, and keeping the KCB attack on a leash, with Omela’s boot keeping the scoreboard ticking.
If picked in the final, these three or whoever plays in those three positions will be crucial to the Oilers’ charge. I expect an even battle up front with the forwards cancelling each other out, especially with the predicted rains.
On the other side of the halfway line, Oilers will face a side who are early adopters to their current style of play, thanks to a good number of their technical bench also sitting in the Simbas tech bench. Kabras started adapting to this style and shape of play late last season, coincidentally culminating in another blanking of KCB, that 29-05 result in the 2023/24 Kenya Cup final, employing this style to manage the game after racing to a 20-0 lead.
Through Dukisa, Kabras have a 3-star general who, on his day, can turn a game on its head, whether off the boot or tee. Sketta, Barry, and Omollo have been deployed through the season to support Dukisa, but with the team back to full strength, expect Tanga and Kubu to take over at 9 and 15, respectively, with Dukisa at 10.
In Kubu and Tanga, Kabras have the X factor of two diminutive playmakers who can run around, step, and kick over you. In case the playbook fails on the day, expect to see a more direct approach from the hosts, where these two will be given more free will to create something for their runners.
I expect a close battle between these two, which will be won off the boot. The last time these two met, only six points separated them at the full-time whistle, I don’t see it being more on Saturday. I don’t have a favourite, but on paper, Kabras pack a bit more in terms of play and experience, but Oilers will be the hungrier of the two sides, looking to complete the league double after clinching the ESS title. So is it time for the Oilers to cook?
All the best to the two teams as they take to the pitch on Saturday.
KWISHA… Nimeruka Nje!!!
