KCB confident of retaining Kenya Cup title: The champions reclaimed their pre-season title with a win over Impala

KENYA CUP- RUGBY George Adongo (right) of Nakuru RFC battles for the ball with Darwin Mukidza of KCB during the Kenya Cup match played at Nakuru Athletics club on January 14,2016. KCB won 28 -11 .PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

The bankers have outlined ambitions as new season kicks off

Kenya Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank have outlined their ambitions as the new 2017/2018 season kicks off today with five matches on the card.

The bankers, who reclaimed their pre-season Impala Floodlit tournament title with an 18-17 victory over hosts Impala last weekend, travel to Madaraka to face-off with Strathmore in their opening match of the campaign as season’s losing finalists Kabras Sugar welcome Mwamba at Kakamega Showground.

Nakuru and Impala take on newly promoted Kisii and Regional Logistics CFS Mombasa respectively as Blak Blad entertain Nondescripts at the Kenyatta University.

Although KCB have been considered the favourites to retain the title, assistant captain Darwin Mukidza is aware of the task ahead of them, urging his teammates to make a positive start to the season.

“Of course being the champions, every team will come strong on us. But we have put in a lot of hard work during our preparation. We started our pre-season quite early and even took part of the squad to South Africa; the boys are more polished and ready for the new season,” Mukidza told The Standard Sports.

“It will be a physical game against Strathmore, but our strategy is to dominate the forward. We want to take every game at a time and approach them differently. Our target is to begin the season on a positive note.”

With stiff competition expected this year, the Kenya Simbas deputy captain has labeled the quartet of Kabras, Kenya Harlequin, Homeboyz and Impala, as a threat to their seventh silverware hopes (2005, 2006, 2007, 2015 and 2017).

“Homeboyz are quite strong and have been improving season after season. Kabras have made good signings, Impala have a unique style of play and we have beaten us four times, while Quins have been rebuilding for the past few seasons,’’ said Mukidza.