2025 Impala Floodlit Recap: Menengai Oilers Dominate Nondies to Retain Title as Mwamba RFC Ladies and JKUAT Also Claim Glory

Menengai Oilers have successfully defended their Impala Floodlit title, overcoming a determined Nondescripts side 32-20 in a hard-fought 2025 final at the Impala Club.

The Oilers entered the match focused on retaining the crown they claimed last season. Meanwhile, Nondies were chasing their first Floodlit championship since 2012, having suffered consecutive final defeats to KCB in 2022 and 2023.

The defending champions wasted no time making their intentions clear. Captain Ibrahim Ayoo opened the scoring with a try just four minutes into the game. Nondies missed an early opportunity to get on the board when a penalty attempt by Bruce Odhiambo went wide.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Gibson Weru's squad extended their lead seven minutes later when Chrispine Shitundo scored a converted try, pushing the score to 12-0. Nondies hit back with a try from Ryan Odrua to make it 12-7, but the Oilers quickly responded with another try of their own, re-establishing a 17-7 advantage.

Odrua kept Nondies in the contest with his second try, narrowing the deficit to just five points. However, the Oilers' forward pack proved too strong, executing a powerful maul from a lineout that saw Aturo touch down for his second try.

A successful conversion by Omela brought their total to 24 points. A late penalty from Odhiambo ensured Nondies remained within striking distance at halftime.

Nondescripts emerged with renewed energy in the second half, and their pressure paid off when Lamec Ambetsa finished a superb attacking move on the wing, cutting the Oilers' lead to 24-20.

Just as Nondies seemed to be gaining momentum, Oilers winger Beldad Ogeta delivered a decisive blow. He broke through the defensive line and embarked on a blistering 40-metre solo run to score, restoring a comfortable nine-point lead for his team.

With the clock ticking down, the Oilers added a penalty just before the 70-minute mark to extend their lead to 32-20. They managed the final stages of the game effectively, holding firm to seal their second consecutive Impala Floodlit championship.

The JKUAT Cougars clinched the 2025 Impala Floodlit Varsity title with a 31–23 victory over USIU Martials at the Impala Club on Saturday morning. This win caps a remarkable season for the Cougars, who recently celebrated their first-ever Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) success and made it to the KRU Championship quarterfinals.

JKUAT took an early lead through a penalty from their coach and former KCB Rugby flyhalf, Smith Muhoya, putting them ahead 3–0. USIU quickly leveled with a penalty and then went ahead 8–3 after a try from sustained pressure. However, JKUAT responded when Karl Omito cleverly broke through for a try under the posts, converted by Muhoya to regain the lead at 10–8.

In the second half, USIU briefly retook the lead with a penalty, but JKUAT’s Mwangi Bonnke powered over after a quick ruck pass, followed by a penalty from Muhoya, making it 18–11. USIU fought back with a try but failed to convert, trailing 18–16. JKUAT extended their lead with a powerful lock’s try and further penalties from Muhoya. Despite a late USIU try and conversion narrowing the gap to 28–23, Muhoya’s final penalty sealed the 31–23 victory for the Cougars.

Mwamba RFC Ladies successfully defended their Impala Floodlit crown with a commanding 44–11 win over Impala Roans in the final held Saturday afternoon. This clash, a repeat of the 2024 final (which was not played due to Impala’s last-minute withdrawal), brought together two of Kenya’s top women’s rugby teams.

Mwamba dominated early, taking a 17–3 lead at halftime through three tries (one converted), while Roans managed only a penalty. The second half saw Mwamba run rampant, adding 27 points and conceding just eight, comfortably securing the championship.

KCB Rugby once again settled for the Impala Floodlit Plate after overpowering Strathmore Leos 47–12 in the fifth-place playoff on Saturday. This rematch of last year’s Plate Final saw the Bankers continue their strong form, having beaten Kenya Harlequin 64–10 previously.

KCB started aggressively, opening the scoring through a try involving Samuel Asati and Tyson Maina, with Brian Wahinya adding the conversion. Further tries from Vincent Onyala, John Aswani, and others extended their lead to 26–0 by halftime. Although Strathmore fought back with tries from Collins Maina and Elton Amalemba, KCB maintained control in the second half, with Dominic Sande and Mike Wekesa crossing the line to seal a comprehensive 47–12 win.

Blak Blad finished third in the tournament following a tight 21–19 comeback victory over Impala. Both teams had fallen at the semifinal stage, with Impala losing to Nondies and Blak Blad to Menengai Oilers.

Impala struck first with an early penalty from Quinto Ongo, but Blad responded through tries by Obat Kuke and solid kicking from Enock Oduor, taking a 10–6 lead. Impala fought back before halftime, with Derrick Kinyari scoring a try to edge ahead 14–10.

After the break, Impala extended their lead with a Moses Matonda try to 19 points. Blad capitalized on an Impala handling error to score and added points through Oduor’s kicking, eventually taking the lead. Despite late missed penalties from both sides, Blak Blad held on to seal a hard-fought 21–19 victory and claim third place.