Kabras Sugar is sponsored by West Kenya Sugar Company whose Managing Director is Tejveer Rai, while Menengai Oilers is sponsored by Menengai Oil Refineries Limited under Managing Director Onkar Rai, Tejveer’s younger brother
By Pura Vida Correspondent
Kabras Sugar Rugby Football has turned out to be a rugby powerhouse in Kenya.
Their abrasive and aggressive style of play has made them Kenya’s most exciting rugby team. To them, every game is a final.
The more reason why they have been on a winning streak of 51 games, having last lost in February, 2022, against their perennial arch-rivals KCB, 28-20.
Saturday’s mouth-watering final between two of the most decorated Kenyan rugby clubs in Kenya – Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers – has been termed the “Rai derby” due to the fact that Kabras Sugar is sponsored by West Kenya Sugar Company whose Managing Director is Tejveer Rai, while Menengai Oilers is sponsored by Menengai Oil Refineries Limited under Managing Director Onkar Rai.
Massive financial investment
The two clubs have attributed the sterling performance to the massive financial investment directed to them by their respective sponsors.
West Kenya Sugar situated in Western part of Kenya and Menengai Oil in Nakuru are under Rai Group whose Chairman is Jaswant Rai.
The Oilers have their work cut out in this “sibling rivalry.”
They have never won a Kenya Cup game against Kabras who have played 40 Kenya Cup and 11 Enterprise Cup matches, unbeaten.
The Oilers have tasted two defeats this season – against KCB and Kabras Sugar, 29-27 and 20-14 respectively.
The Oilers have equally had an impressive performance.
Kabras Sugar conceded only six tries in their entire Kenya Cup regular fixtures. The Oilers are poised to approach the eagerly-awaited final with revenge the mindset against the sugar-men, having lost narrowly to Kabras 34-28 in the 2022 Kenya Cup final at the Bull Ring.
Menengai Oilers coach, Gibson Weru, set a target for his players, to win three trophies.
The Nakuru-based club has already bagged the Erick Shirley Shield (ESS) after defeating KCB 15-12.
Kabras chasing four-peat
Kabras Sugar, coach under South African tactician Carlos Katya, on the other hand, are keen on a four-peat in the Kenya Cup.
Saturday’s final will be Kabras Sugar’s 10th straight finals after they stormed the Kenya Cup in 2014/15 season following a successful run in the nationwide.
Kabras Sugar’s Captain George Nyambua will be playing his 10th final since joining the club in 2014 from Bungoma High School.
The clash between the two Rai Group-sponsored clubs is being viewed by many rugby lovers as a battle between two brother – Tejveer and his younger sibling Onkar.
Though, generally-speaking, the trophy remains in the Rai stranglehold, who between the two will smile after 80 minutes?
With just one day to the big final, Kabras Sugar Director Nick Baraza is confident his players are upbeat ahead of the big clash, having studied their opponents well and knowing their tactics.
He claims his camp has identified ways to conquer the oilmen.
“We are well aware of Menengai Oilers’ game-plan that involves ball possession, milking penalties and going for poles (3s). “They have an excellent kicker for poles. We will try to keep our discipline on defence to avoid obvious mistakes more so in our Red zones,” said Baraza.
He added that the players adjust their mentality based on the opponent they are about to face and maintained Kabras Sugar is after nothing but a win and trophy.
“Our target is to win the match. We were used to playing against KCB in finals but this time we are facing a different opponent, so, as usual, we have to prepare adequately,” said Barasa.
Oilers ‘pragmatic and brave’
On the other hand, Menengai Oilers’ head coach Weru expects his players to be pragmatic and brave on Saturday.
He considers Kabras Sugar opponents worth their weight in gold.
“They are yet to lose a Kenya Cup match in over three season. They have revolutionized Kenya rugby and have made the competition better, they have challenged us over the years and they have made us a better side,” said Weru.
He said his team has improved in leaps and bounds and also adjusted how they prepare for their matches.
“The preparations started in pre-season where we set a goal of winning Kenya Cup. We have been working towards that ever since,” Weru maintained.
The Oilers intend to have stable set-piece to match Kabras Sugar’s physical strength.
According to Weru, the Oilers’ attack has been versatile this season and he will be relying on it to claim a win.
“The players are very positive and excited to compete in this year’s final. The sponsorship from Menengai Oil Refineries Limited has provided a conducive environment for us,” said Weru.
The Oilers’ coach reiterated that his lads are focused and ready for the clash and their goal this season still remains to win Kenya Cup.
“Our planning has been very successful. We have planned and executed well. The leadership of the playing unit has been very robust and it has translated to the pitch. Our goal was to reach the play-off – which we achieved – then win Kenya Cup,” said Oilers Coach.
Supply to national teams
Fijian Jone Kubu – who recently made his debut for adopted home, Kenya, with the seves team, “Shujaa” – who did not feature in last year’s finals due to injury is now available for picking.
The Oilers and Kabras have been major suppliers of players to the national teams. In the recently concluded Singapore 7s, “Shujaas” had three Kabras Sugar men in Kevin Wekesa, Brian Tanga and Kubu.
Oilers have also had John Okoth and Dennis Abukuse feature for Kenya Sevens.
Kenya Simbas has more than 10 players from Kabras Sugar, namely George Nyambua, Ephraim Oduor, Emmanuel Otieno, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Eugene Sifuna, Teddy Akala, Edward Mwaura, Hillary Odhiambo and Jeason Misoga.
Others are Walter Okoth, Bryceson Adaka, Griffin Chao, Barry Young, Derrick Ashiundu, Alfred Orege, Collins Indeche, Dan Angwech and Mathias Osimbo.
Baraza and Weru have rallied their fans to come out in large numbers and support the players.
“We expect our fans to come out and fill the Forest to the brim, we value our fans. We shall not let them down,” said Baraza.
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At glance:
• George Nyambua will be playing his 10th Kenya Cup final in Kabras Sugar colours;
• Menengai Oilers have never won a Kenya Cup match against Kabras Sugar.
• The clash is being viewed as a battle between two Rai brother – Tejveer and his younger sibling Onkar;
• Kabras Sugar is targeting a four-peat;
• Kabras Sugar joined the Kenya Cup in 2014/15 season and ever since has featured in all the finals including the last three that they won.
This update is generally attributed to Pura Vida’s Content team. Feel free to shared any feedback or or relevant info incase of inaccuracies.
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