Edwin Achayo discloses how Kabras won Enterprise Cup title

Kakamega-based Kabras Sugar RFC have not tasted a loss in the recently concluded 15s season, lifting both the Enterprise Cup and the Kenya Cup titles. The side has been in fine form this season, edging KCB Rugby on both occasions. Their recent victory was a narrow 30-27 win over KCB Rugby in the Enterprise Cup finals.

The Sugarmen missed the services of coach Carlos Kyatwa who was out on international duty with Kenya Simbas in South Africa.

Mozzart Sport spoke to Edwin Achayo Wata, who held the fort for coach Carlos Kyata during the Enterprise Cup finals. Achayo spoke on how he managed to guide the team to overcome a tough KCB side despite the odds being against them.

KCB Rugby had dominated the opening half, scoring through Darwin Mukidza, Fidel Maina, and Jacob Ojee to see the scores at 18-0 before half time. Achayo acknowledged that his charges were off to a slow start, and their defense was wanting,

“We knew we had to speed up the game. We were slow and blunt in our attack in the first half except for a few breaks out wide. We also needed to do better defensively. Our defensive line speed was slow and we missed one too many tackles in that period,” Achayo said

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The former JKUAT Cougars’ player also complemented Kabras’ fine run, urging fans to give more time to the younger players to be fully absorbed to the system. The younger players at the club include David Bunduki (21), Valerian Tendwa (22), Lameck Ambetsa (22), Dan Angwech (23), Bryceson Adaka (22), John Baraka (21), James Olela (18), Hillary Salano (21), and Collins Indeche (21)

“Very successful season. Slow start but we managed to build up momentum just at the right time. We were successful in introducing new aspects in our way of play. But perhaps most importantly also is that we have managed to give quite a number of the young guys game time. Our development program has enjoyed huge success this season,” Achayo clarified.

Achayo also hinted at signing in new players who will marry with the Sugarmen’s style of play,

“We need to strengthen key areas. We will see how that goes during the off season. We will look to bring in 1 or 2 players who fit into our philosophy and definitely look to promote through the development set up,” he said.

The coach also noted that the absence of senior, experienced players in the club also contributed to the sluggish start. Twelve players from the side were in South Africa for the Currie Cup matches. They include Hillary Mwanjilwa, Ntabeni Dukisa, Brian Juma, Jeanson Musoga, and George Nyambua among others.

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“You can never take away the value of these experienced players. Hindsight is 20/20 and it is perhaps easier to speak on it now but in the end, we are glad the other guys stepped up and took claim of the game,” Achayo noted.

As gears shift to the shorter version of the game, Achayo assured that the side will be keen to bag every possible trophy. Kabras RFC won the final leg of the 2022 National Sevens Circuit, and will be looking to pick up from there and wow.

“The team is still very much hungry for more trophies. We are looking forward to defending our titles when the time comes and now we switch our focus to the shorter version of the game and hopefully taste success there as well,” he concluded.

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