Enterprise Cup: Menengai Oilers Boss Reveals Plan to Avenge Narrow Kenya Cup Final Loss to Kabras Sugar

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Enterprise Cup: Menengai Oilers Boss Reveals Plan to Avenge Narrow Kenya Cup Final Loss to Kabras Sugar

Mark Kinyanjui 19:33 - 15.04.2025

Kabras Sugar downed Menengai Oilers by the narrowest of margins in the Kenya Cup final last weekend, but both sides will meet each other in the Enterprise Cup final this weekend.

Menengai Oilers coach Gibson Weru has explained how his charges can have the last laugh in the upcoming Enterprise Cup final after the Nakuru-based outfit lost the Kenya Cup final to Kabras Sugar 27-26 in Kakamega last weekend.

The result secured a historic four-peat for the Sugarmen—becoming only the fourth team to achieve the feat after Impala (1970–74), Nondescripts (1978–82 and 1991–94), and KCB Rugby (2017–21).

The victory marked Kabras' fourth consecutive Kenya Cup title and extended their unbeaten run to 41 matches, showcasing their dominance in Kenyan rugby.

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 Despite a spirited fightback by the Oilers, including two second-half tries, Kabras' efficient kicking and disciplined defense secured their historic win.

Oilers, beaten finalists in 2022 and now again in 2025, will have a chance for revenge when the two sides meet in the final of the 2025 Enterprise Cup on April 26 at the ASK Nakuru Showground.

Speaking to the media after the match, an upbeat Weru, a former Kenya 7s player, explained what cost his charges victory in Kakamega.

"We must give credit to a good opponent. I think they were very tactical and efficient in most areas. We didn’t take it home towards the end despite a good fight, but we’re proud of the boys for the effort,” Weru said.

"Their kicking game was efficient, and we struggled to adjust to how they kicked to us, especially during the kickoffs, which exposed us a lot. But again, we fought back towards the end — it just wasn’t enough."

However, Weru is already focused on setting the record straight in Nakuru.

“We’ll learn from that, get better, and prepare for the next final in the Enterprise Cup against them. This time, we’ll make sure we come out victorious,” he added.

Oilers skipper Hibrahim Ayoo echoed his coach’s sentiments but attributed the loss to a lack of focus during critical moments.

“In my capacity, I can’t say there was a team that played well or poorly. It’s a final — the team that’s more focused and puts their head in the game usually wins,” Ayoo remarked.

“I think we were composed, but we started the game quite slow, and that affected us in the scoreline. We had a lot of chances to score, but we didn’t take them. The coin has two sides — a winner and a loser. In this one, we fell short. We just have to try again next time.”

The highly anticipated Enterprise Cup final on April 26 at the ASK Nakuru Showground now presents the perfect stage for the Oilers to exact revenge and lift their first major trophy.

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