KCB coach Olago wary of Kabras challenge in final

What you need to know:

  • They might be hot favourites going into the Kenya Cup final against Kabras Sugar on Saturday, but Curtis Olago, coach of reigning Kenya Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), is a cautious man.
  • Olago Tuesday told Nation Sport that their chase for a sixth Kenya Cup title against the 2016 Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar at the KCB Ruaraka grounds is bound to be a difficult affair.
  • Olago said that history will not count for much on Saturday, despite KCB having beaten Kabras Sugar in all their six past outings, including the bankers’ 41-12 victory in their last outing on February 24, and in two Cup finals.

They might be hot favourites going into the Kenya Cup final against Kabras Sugar on Saturday, but Curtis Olago, coach of reigning Kenya Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), is a cautious man.

Olago Tuesday told Nation Sport that their chase for a sixth Kenya Cup title against the 2016 Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar at the KCB Ruaraka grounds is bound to be a difficult affair.

Olago said that history will not count for much on Saturday, despite KCB having beaten Kabras Sugar in all their six past outings, including the bankers’ 41-12 victory in their last outing on February 24, and in two Cup finals.

“Kabras Sugar are hungry not only for their first victory against us, but also for the title, the team having reached all finals since making its debut in Kenya Cup in the 2014/2015 season,” said Olago.

The coach pointed out that his team will not do anything unique or different from what the players have been doing the whole season.

“We can’t say we are making last-ditch preparations or going for something special. Our training has been consistent and the players have remained focused throughout,” said Olago, who is yet to lose a match this season.

Olago said Kabras Sugar has greatly improved as a team, playing a different type of rugby after acquiring former Kenya 15s and Kenya Sevens international Charles Cardovillis.

“The team that will settle down early in the match and remain resilient in attack and defence will carry the day,” said Olago.

South Africa’s Western Province forwards coach, Hanyani Simange, has been helping KCB improve its technical ability and approach to matches in the last two weeks.

“We went to Western Province for pre-season camp and his presence here is due to the partnership we struck then.” 

KCB is expected to stick to its style of play.

At the same time, former Kenya Simbas coach, South African Jerome Paarwater, has been assisting Kabras coach Charles Cardovillis in preparing for Saturday’s match for the last one week.

Paarwater witnessed Kabras beat Homeboyz 29-13 and set up final date with KCB, who edged Impala Saracens 15-0.

“I have a set of determined and focused players but it would be catastrophic to bank on past experience,” said Olago, adding that KCB are ready to play under any weather condition.

KCB beat Kabras Sugar 27-3 to lift their fourth Kenya Cup title during the 2014/2015 season. Earlier in the regular season, KCB had beaten the sugar millers, who were making their debut in Kenya Cup, 13-3.

KCB might have hit Kabras 40-15 in the regular 2015/2016 season, but it’s the sugar millers who would go on to lift the Kenya Cup that season, beating Impala Saracens 22-5 in the final.

KCB reclaimed the Kenya Cup title during the 2016/2017 season, thrashing Kabras Sugar 36-8 in the final.

Before winning in 2015 and 2017,  KCB had clinched Kenya Cup back-to-back in 2005 to 2007. The bankers had managed a slim 22-17 victory over Kabras in the regular season.

This season, Kabras Sugar suffered a 41-12 defeat as they finished the regular season unbeaten. On Saturday, Olago is expected to welcome back influential flanker Andrew Amonde, who didn’t play in the semi-finals.