Defending champions Kabras Sugar eyes history as Kenya Cup kicks off

Jackson Sketta of Kabras Sugar (right) during a training session. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

The 2024-2025 Kenya Cup season kicks off on Saturday with defending champions Kabras Sugar poised to etch their name into history books.

The Kakamega-based outfit seeks to join Nondescripts, Impala Saracens, and KCB as the only teams to win the league four times in a row.

Kabras will launch their campaign against a rejuvenated Impala RFC, who return to the Kenya Cup after a two-year stint in the second-tier KRU Championship.

The millers, who boast a perfect record in the Kenya Cup over the past two seasons, are set for a stern test under head coach Carlos Katywa, especially with a reshuffled lineup.

Captain George Nyambua and hooker Edwin Sifuna are among notable absentees for Kabras, with the duo granted rest following their exploits with the Kenya Simbas in the recently concluded Elgon Cup.

In their absence, Kabras will lean on their youthful players, with several players set to make their debuts.

Kabras Sugar scrum half Brian Tanga (right) in ction during a apsst match. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kenya U20 international Darrel Oluoch will headline the front row, starting alongside Teddy Akala and Emmanuel Otieno, who faces his former club, Impala. Oluoch, a Barthes Cup winner, brings youthful vigor to the squad.

The second-row pairing of Clinton Litali and Patrick Lumumba adds experience, while Collins Indeche, a former Kenya U20 back-rower, lines up at blindside flanker.

The backline has a fresh look as Roy Maruti, a former Vihiga High School standout and Christie Sevens winner, makes his senior debut at scrum-half. He partners with fly-half Eric Cantona, who steps in for the rested playmakers Ntabeni Dukisa and Barry Robinson.

The midfield duo of Walter Okoth and Hillary Salano adds firepower, with Victor Otieno, Humphrey Asiligwa, and Kenya U20 fullback James Olela completing the back three.