Menengai Oilers out to end Kabras dominance in Kenya Cup showdown

Menengai Oilers will be chasing their first-ever win over Kabras Sugar when the two sides clash in the 2025 Kenya Cup final on Saturday at the Kakamega ASK Showground, Kabras' home turf.

This will be the ninth meeting between the two since Oilers' promotion to the top flight in 2018. Nakuru-based Oilers are yet to get the better of Kabras, but head coach Gibson Weru believes his side has learned enough from past setbacks to finally turn the tide.

“Kabras Sugar is a very formidable team. They’ve gone unbeaten in the Kenya Cup for three years and have never lost to us,” Weru told The Eastleigh Voice. “Over the years, I’ve studied our matches against them, as well as their games against KCB. I’ve gathered insights that I believe will help us change our record against them on Saturday.”

While Kabras are set for their 10th consecutive Kenya Cup final, this will be only the second time Oilers feature at this stage. Their only previous appearance came in 2022, when they narrowly lost 34-28 - also to Kabras.

Weru feels Saturday’s showdown presents a different kind of challenge for his team, especially given the knockout setting and the added pressure of playing away.

“Most of our matches against Kabras have come in the regular season when the stakes aren’t as high. This is a final, and it’s on their home ground. The challenge will be tougher, but we’re well prepared,” he said.

Having already claimed the Impala Floodies title in November 2024, Menengai Oilers are chasing a rare treble this season. The two sides are also set to meet in the Enterprise Cup final on April 19 at the ASK Nakuru Showground.

Weru hinted that the outcome of Saturday’s final may influence his side’s approach to that upcoming clash.

“We have a week between the two finals. Depending on the challenges we face this weekend, we may have to tweak our approach for the Enterprise Cup,” he added.

Victory for Kabras Sugar would make them only the fourth team in history to win four straight Kenya Cup titles. A win for Menengai Oilers, on the other hand, would make them the 10th different club to lift the prestigious trophy.