Title favourites Kabras Sugar & KCB to begin Kenya Cup campaign against promoted sides

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RUGBY Title favourites Kabras Sugar & KCB to begin Kenya Cup campaign against promoted sides

Joel Omotto 14:33 - 27.11.2023

Defending champions Kabras Sugar and last season’s runners-ups KCB will start their Kenya Cup campaign against promoted Kisumu and Nondies this weekend

Kabras Sugar RFC will begin their Kenya Cup title defence with a home clash against promoted Kisumu RFC when the new season kicks off on December 2.

In what appears an easy opening day, at least on paper, for the big boys, KCB, last season’s runners-up, will begin their campaign against another promoted side Nondescripts while Kenya Harlequin takes on Catholic University Monks.

Menengai Oilers have a major test against Homeboyz, Blak Blad host Mwamba RFC while Nakuru RFC are at home to Strathmore Leos.

Kabras were the team to beat last season as they made it back-to-back titles but recent evidence suggest that they will have to sweat it out if they are to win a third straight crown.

The Sugar Millers appeared on their way to the National Sevens Circuit crown but a poor run in the latter stages of the competition saw KCB pip them to claim the title before the Bankers sealed a record tenth Impala Floodlit tournament title following a win over Nondies in October.

It means Kabras have their work cut out as the Bankers, who have freshened up their squad, are keen to reclaim the title that has eluded them in the last two campaigns.

Kabras blamed injuries and the absence of key players from the team for their recent slump but they will have no excuses now that the big hitters are back.

Meanwhile, it will be a second straight meeting in a month for Nondies and KCB after squaring it out in the Impala Floodlit final where the bankers won 25-23.

Nondies are back to the big time but have been playing like a seasoned team given their resurgence in the National Sevens Circuit when they won the Tisap Sevens in Eldoret in September before reaching the Floodlit final.

The other team to watch out in the upcoming season is Menengai Oilers who have welcomed back star Denis Abukuse from a long injury layoff.

Gibson Weru’s side also started well at the National Sevens Circuit before fizzling out in the final rounds but they have a squad capable of challenging KCB and Kabras while Strathmore Leos will also not be pushovers.

It will be another season when Kenya Harlequin and Mwamba RFC try to return back to their glory days following their underwhelming campaigns in recent years.

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