KCB corner poor Impala: Bankers in sweet revenge against hosts as they reclaim Floodlit title

Vincent Mose (right) of Impala runs into KCB defence during their Kenya Cup play off match at Impala grounds on April 30, 2015.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Essau Otieno guides side to their fourth title in five years.

Kenya Commercial Bank reclaimed the Impala Floodlit title after beating deposed champions Impala 18-17 in Saturday’s closely contested final at Impala Club.

It was a sweet revenge for the bankers, who lost 32-31 to Impala in last year’s final of the preseason tournament at the same venue.

KCB took an early lead through Essau Otieno’s seventh minute penalty before he successfully converted Nick Ongeri’s try.

“It is a good feeling to reclaim the Floodies title bearing in mind we played without over 10 of our national team players,” said KCB team manager Ronnie Kangetta.

“That clearly shows we have enough depth heading into the new season.”

Otieno scored another penalty for a 13-0 lead before Quinto Oongo booted over a penalty in the 25th minute for Impala. Impala then got their first try at the stroke of halftime through Xavier Kipng’etich. Oongo missed the conversion as KCB led 13-10 at the break.

Impala, who are also known as The Sarries, went ahead 17-13 for the first time in the game when Oongo successfully converted Timothy Makiya’s try early in the second half.

Oongo then turned from hero to villain when he was send off alongside KCB’s Shaban Ahmed in the 56th minute forcing both teams to finish the game with 14 men each.

Impala seemed inches away from retaining the trophy only for Otieno to land his brace with less than 10 minutes to go. The Sarries put on a brave fight in the final moments, but the bankers held their nerves to win their fourth title in five years.

Meanwhile, Homeboyz claimed the third place after seeing off the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine 34-22 as Kenya Harlequin laboured to beat a resilient Strathmore 33-29 in the Plate final.

Kenyan international Leonard Mugaisi, Thomas Okidia, Nelson Sangurah, Israel Soi, Collins Shikoli and Stanley Isogol grounded a try each for the Deejays as Grevis Onyino, Isaac Waweru and Ian Wando replied for the students.

Homeboyz and Machine dropped to the play-offs after losing to KCB and Impala in last weekend’s Cup semifinals.