Kenya Cup: KCB see off Menengai Oilers to move top

Bob Muhati in action during a Kenya Cup match against Menengai Oilers played at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka, on February 22, 2025. [Courtesy,KCB]

Former Kenya Cup champions KCB delivered a masterclass performance to secure a hard-fought 29-27 victory over Menengai Oilers in a pulsating encounter at the KCB Sports Club to move top of the standings.

The bankers moved a point clear at the top after defending champions Kabras Sugar failed to register a bonus point victory in Kakamega when they picked a narrow 7-3 win over Nondescripts.

KCB sit top with 45 points followed by Kabras with 44. Oilers remained third with 41 points after picking a losing bonus.

The bankers scored four tries against Oilers in a pulsating match-up to post a serious campaign of hosting the Kenya Cup final.

Since 2019, the Kenya Cup final has been hosted away from Nairobi with Kabras Sugar finishing top of the log for the last six straight seasons.

According to the rules, the team that finishes top of the log at the end of the regular season automatically earns the rights to host the final.

While KCB, Kabras and Oilers have all qualified for the playoffs, the battle to host the final remains open and the final two matches of the season will decide who will emerge top.

In the match, Oilers were quick to draw first blood, Timothy Omela drilling in a penalty to make it 3-0 for the Nakuru-based side.

KCB replied almost immediately, Elvis Olukusi crossing the whitewash for a 5-3 lead after Austin Sikutwa missed the conversion.

Omela would add four more penalties for a 15-5 lead before Festus Shiasi struck for the bankers who cut the visitors lead to 15-12 heading into half time after Sikutwa added the extras.

In the final half, Samson Onsomu struck again for Oilers to open a 10-point lead after Omela's conversion for 22-12.

The bankers responded again through Erick Miheso to cut the gap to 22-19 before Sikutwa added a penalty for 22-22.

With five minutes left, Omela scored at the corner, an unconverted try that saw Oilers lead 27-22.

However, the bankers would have the last laugh after Sikutwa scored a last minute try that he converted for a 29-27 win.

Speaking after their win over Oilers, KCB head coach Oliver Mang'eni praised his team's resilience.

"I am so proud of this team for showing character in today's match. We knew it was not going to be an easy fixture. The Oilers came at us with everything they had, but we stayed focused until the final whistle. Now, our attention shifts to the Impala fixture next weekend."

Expressing his delight after the win, Austin Sikutwa who scored the winning try said: "I feel elated to help my team secure such an important victory against a tough opponent. We worked extremely hard for this win, and although we struggled with our scrums and lineouts, I'm happy we came out on top. We must now focus on improving as we approach the season's final stretch."

Other results saw Nakuru pip Strathmore Leos 23-22, Blak Blad edge Kisumu 40-19, Kenya Harlequin hammer South Coast Pirates 43-17 and Impala edge Mwamba 19-12.