Titanic battle looms in Enterprise Cup final as Kabras seek revenge

A titanic battle looms as rugby rivals Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers meet in the finals of the Enterprise Cup at ASK Nakuru Showground on Saturday.

This follows victories of both teams against each other in the last two crucial matches and in big tournaments for the last two weeks.

Kabras Sugar are the Kenya Cup champions while Oilers are the new Great Rift 10-aside champions and Kabras will be seeking revenge after the loss on Sunday.

Their rivalry comes stems from the fact that both sides are able to attract some of the best players because of the sponsorship by their parent companies that has resulted in them outwitting opponents in different tournaments this season.

Kabras Sugar Rugby Club are sponsored by Kabras Sugar Company while Oilers are under the sponsorship of Menengai Oil Refinery Company, which are all owned by Rai brothers.

Kabras Sugar narrowly defeated Oilers 27-26 at the Kenya Cup final in Kakamega last weekend with Oilers responding viciously by hitting the sugar millers 15-0 to lift the Great Rift a10-Aside title at Nakuru Athletic Club on Sunday.

And coaches of both teams are ready for battle in the Enterprise Cup final on Saturday.

Oilers 10-sside coach Ben Kamau said it was a great honour to have won the Great Rift-title, which was a clear indication of their seriousness and ambition to lift the Enterprise Cup.

“We had to win this match to show them of our seriousness to win the in Enterprise Cup,” Kamau said after receiving the Great Rift-cup from Nakuru County Assembly Chairman of Sports and Welfare committee Simon Wathiai.

“We started planning for the Enterprise match three weeks ago and we know our strengths and weaknesses, which we need to correct and polish to come out victorious,” Kamau told Standard Sports at Nakuru Athletic Club on Sunday evening.

And Kabras Sugar tactician Okello Meso said he cannot afford two consecutive losses in the hands of Oilers at a time his players are at their peak.

“Losing twice to Oilers is  just in our dream. We cannot afford it for now. We’ll do all at our disposal to ensure we win the match against the same side,” said Meso.

And with the vow by the two coaches who happens to be assistant coaches in their respective teams is a pointer to ability of their technical benches in the confidence bestowed on them to win matches when called upon to do so.

However, Kamau warned his playing unit not to be complacent and underrate their opponents after the weekend victory.

“We cannot afford to underrate Kabras just because we beat them here at our backyard. We must be more focused to secure a second consecutive victory,” he said.