KCB on way of Kabras dream in Enterprise Cup final

Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar will be going for a historic double when they play Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in the Enterprise Cup final on Saturday from 4pm at the RFUEA grounds.

The relatively new outfit from Kakamega is knocking loudly to enter the elite club of teams that have held both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup in one calendar year. They are Nondescripts (15 times), Harlequin (7), Impala (4), KCB (2) and Nakuru (2).

On paper, both sides boast of formidable forwards and dashing backs too. Just who will blink first?

Kabras Sugar head coach Michael Bishop has opted to stick to his winning squad that bundled out Impala Saracens 24-5 in the semi-finals last Saturday in Kakamega.

KCB coach Curtis Olago has effected one change to the side that blanked Strathmore Leos 22-0 in the other semi, bringing in Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde at back row while relegating Griffin Musila to the bench.

This is Kabra Sugar’s second appearance in the Enterprise Cup, having lost 30-39 to Quins in the pre-quarterfinals last year while KCB are chasing their fifth title.

The bankers reclaimed the knock-out crown last year, beating Homeboyz 28-0 in the final. They also won the diadem in 2004, 2007 and 2012.

It will be recalled that it’s KCB who stopped Kabras Sugar 27-5 to lift last year’s Kenya Cup title. The bankers also crushed the sugar men 40-15 in a Kenya Cup fixture on December 19.

It is after this thrashing that Kabras mounted a fight back in the league to eventually take the Kenyan championship last month, their maiden title.

Perminus Macharia and Fabian Olando once against come up against their former club when they start at centre for Kabras and will rely on the partnership of scrum-half Fijian Jone Navuso and fly-half Jasper Ochen to set them up for attack.

Another Fijian import fullback John Kubu will be relied on for his territorial kicking with new Kenya Sevens call-up Brian Tanga at wing.

“We won’t focus on the score line from your last meeting since this will be a different ball game altogether,” said Kubu. “It will be a tough game since both teams will come hard at each other.”

The Fijian flair will also be felt in Kabras forward line with hooker Sava Racigi and eighth man Apenisa Natabua seeking the right formula alongside their Kenyan team mates Hillary Mwanjilwa and old horse Anthony Ogot among others.

The highly mobile Amonde will start at blindside flank in a back-row that could also feature Peter Waitere, Rocky Aguko with skipper Rocky Anguko as eighth man.

Experienced scrum-half Michael Wanjala should call the shots at the breakdowns and set pieces with Ken Moseti and James Kilonzo fielding at mid-field.

“We will play the game of our lives as the players know what is at stake. We want to be perfect in our executions," said Olago. “We have a youthful squad that believes in hard work and really want to retain the trophy.”

SQUADS

Kabras Sugar

15. Jone Kubu, 14. Brian Tanga, 13. Fabian Olando, 12. Perminus Macharia, 11. Aluda Beda, 10. Jasper Ochen, 9. Jone Navuso, 8. Apenisa Natabua, 7. Geoffrey Messo, 6. Levi Ochieng, 5. George Otieno, 4. Anthony Ogot, 3. Duncan Mwangi, 2. Sava Racigi, 1. Hillary Mwanjilwa

Replacements: 16.Jospeh Amalemba 17.Ernest Ngong 18.Steve Ochieng 19.Kelvin Kabole 20.Fidel Oloo 21.Jacob Okumba 22.Martin Juma 23.Malik Habil

KCB

15. Elphas Otieno, 14. Collins Wanjala, 13. James Kilonzo, 12. Ken Moseti, 11. Peter Kilonzo, 10. Billy Isabwa, 9. Michael Wanjala, 8. Rocky Aguko (captain), 7. Peter Waitere, 6. Andrew Amonde, 5. John Ahenda, 4. Francis Mwita, 3. George Gichure, 2.George Asin, 1. Oscar Simiyu.

Replacements 16. Benson Ndungu, 17. Derrick Odhiambo, 18. Calvin Sule, 19. Griffin Musila, 20. Marlin Mukolwe, 21. Kenny Andola, 22. Arthur Ochieng, 23. Edwin Salamba.