Kabras Sugar's game plan that downed KCB to clinch historic 5-peat

On Saturday, 9 May, Kabras RFC edged rivals KCB Rugby 14-8 to secure a historic fifth consecutive Kenya Cup title, becoming the first side in 42 years to achieve the feat since the great Impala RFC and Nondescripts teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

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The victory once again underlined why Kabras remain the benchmark of Kenyan rugby.

Despite facing one of their toughest tests in recent seasons, the Sugarmen relied on tactical adjustments, superior squad depth, and the brilliance of Ntabeni Dukisa to grind out victory in adverse weather conditions.

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The heavy rains in Kakamega turned the final into a territorial and tactical battle rather than an expansive attacking contest. That suited KCB’s game plan early on.

The Bankers dominated much of the opening half, pinning Kabras deep inside their own territory while controlling the scrums and winning key collisions through their forwards.

Their defensive discipline also stood out as they continuously forced Kabras into errors and prevented the hosts from building attacking momentum.

Kabras briefly thought they had found an opening when they advanced into KCB’s 22, but the move was halted after referee Constant Cap spotted a forward pass.

It was a rare attacking opportunity for the hosts in a first half largely controlled by KCB.

The Bankers eventually earned reward for their territorial dominance when Brian Wahinya slotted over a penalty to hand them a 3-0 lead heading into the break.

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However, while KCB looked comfortable physically, Kabras' coach Carlos Katywa had already identified where the game was being lost.

Kabras had started with Walter Okoth, naturally a centre, operating at fly-half alongside scrum-half Roy Maruti. While the pairing offered defensive solidity, it lacked the attacking control and tempo Kabras usually depend on.

Towards the end of the first half, Kyatwa made what would prove to be the game-changing tactical adjustment.

He introduced Dukisa at flyhalf and Brian Tanga at scrumhalf, shifting Okoth back into midfield.

The impact was immediate.

Tanga upped the speed of play around the breakdown while Dukisa brought calmness, territorial control, and tactical kicking precision. Suddenly, Kabras looked more organised with the ball in hand and began playing in better areas of the pitch.

In weather conditions where kicking accuracy often decides matches, Dukisa became Kabras’ biggest weapon.

The experienced fly-half punished every KCB mistake and slowly dragged the hosts back into the contest through his reliable boot.

Beyond the points, his game management relieved pressure on the Kabras forwards and allowed the Sugarmen to dictate the tempo in crucial moments.

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KCB, on the other hand, failed to fully capitalise on their dominance in the first half.

That inability to build a bigger lead would later prove costly.

Sensing momentum beginning to shift, Katywa further strengthened his side in the second half by introducing impactful substitutes, including Kevin Wekesa, Collins Indeche, and Teddy Akala.

The fresh legs injected power and intensity into Kabras’ attack.

KCB still found a way back into the game after prop Ephraim Oduor was sent to the sin bin, temporarily reducing Kabras to seven men in the scrum.

The numerical advantage allowed Festus Shiasi to exploit space at the back of the scrum and score KCB’s only try of the afternoon.

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For a brief moment, the Bankers looked capable of pulling off an upset.

The decisive moment then arrived from one of Kabras’ trademark strengths: the driving maul.

From an attacking lineout, Wekesa secured possession before the ball was worked to Hillary Odhiambo. Supported by a well-drilled forward pack, Kabras produced a powerful rolling maul that bulldozed its way over the try line.

Dukisa added the conversion to stretch the lead to 14-8.

KCB attempted to respond with late substitutions, bringing on players such as Emmanuel Opondo and relying on the physical presence of Vincent Onyala, but by then Kabras had seized complete control of the contest.

The Sugarmen managed the closing stages expertly, slowing the game down and forcing KCB to chase the match in difficult conditions.

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In the end, the final highlighted exactly why Kabras have remained unbeaten in league rugby since 2022.

Even when outplayed territorially for long periods, they possess the experience, tactical flexibility, depth, and composure needed to survive pressure and punish opponents when it matters most.

KCB may have controlled large parts of the first half, but Kabras once again showed why champions are defined not only by how they start matches, but by how they adapt and finish them.