KCB save best dance for last in cup win as Kabras’ fairytale run comes to sad ending after 27-3 loss

Kenya Commercial Bank in victorious dance
 

After eight years of waiting, Kenya Commercial Bank were crowned Kenya Cup champions at the RFUEA Grounds yesterday.

The Bankers claimed honours thanks to their 27-3 win over debutants Kabras in a physical encounter. According to KCB coach Curtis Olago, it was third time lucky for them, especially after missing out on the title in the last two years, with him at the helm.

The former national team player could barely hide his excitement as he broke the dream run that Kabras had initiated. “We studied the Nakuru game and knew exactly what we had to do to win,” he said.

Key in their strategy was their defensive patterns. The Bankers thwarted Kabras from scoring any tries and restricted them to only a single penalty score in the entire 80 minutes of high-octane rugby.

Olago praised his troops, whom he claimed were the right people to be credited with the victory.

“As a coach, I only give the players a platform to learn and express themselves, those who grab that opportunity get to play and win trophies such as this,” he said.

There will be no debate as to the suitability of KCB as champions, given that they have only been defeated once this season — against outgoing champions Nakuru RFC. They have also been the most consistent team since they were dethroned in 2007, by always ensuring they finished in the top four in each season.

“It has been a matter of patience and discipline for the club,” Olago revealed. “We have always been confident with our abilities and it feels good to be crowned champions amongst our peers."

Meanwhile, Nakuru RFC claimed the third position after they beat Strathmore 21-15 at the same venue. Nakuru coach Dominique Habimana said the win was not a consolation to missing out on the top spot.

Nakuru RFC, the previous champions lost their crown last weekend when they went down 12-15 to Kabras.

“There is no substitute to missing out on the top spot, we simply won to ensure we get back to winning ways as soon as possible, and we must not forget the importance of finishing higher in the table as the Union prepares for next season’s campaign,” he said.

Nakuru is now preparing to defend their Enterprise Cup title in the upcoming tournament.

“If you look at the Kenya Cup, we won 14 games and lost one. Unfortunately, the one we lost turned out to be costliest. With that record, I do not think we performed too badly and I still believe we have the Enterprise Cup to look up to,” he said.