Resplendent Kabras Sugar end six-year wait for Kenya Cup title after thrilling comeback victory against Menengai Oilers

2016 champions Kabras Sugar ended their six year wait for a Kenya Cup title as they splendidly fought back against a spirited Menengai Oilers side in lifting their second ever championship following the 34-28 victory in the finals staged at the Bull Ring Arena in Kakamega on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 8-21 minutes into the second half, the Lurambi based side rose above every final bad luck they have always had in the past five championship deciders as they scored twenty six points to complete the comeback that gifted them their first diadem since May 2016.

Right from the word go, all signs pointed to another shocking upset from Gibson Weru's well drilled Oilers who made a flying start to the encounter that caught Kabras by surprise as they led 8-18 at the halftime break.

In the end though, the team responded in brilliant fashion as South African head coach Jerome Muller, who won his first title, led the team in bringing back long lost glory to Kakamega as the fans in the packed stadium jumped in ecstasy.

Straight from kickoff, Oilers' game plan appeared to be hitting early then relying on their defensive discipline to keep out the home team. They did just that as they landed their first try of the game inside the opening four minutes. Semifinal hero Geoffrey Ominde steppimg up and successfully converting to give his team an early 0-7 lead.

Jone Kubu however managed to reduce the deficit to 3-7 almost immediately as he drilled in a penalty for his side.

What followed after that would be a flurry from Oilers as they put in eleven points that opened a fifteen point gap as they led 3-18.

Ominde sneaking in with a confident drop goal and an extra penalty before Davis Nyaundi capitalized on a loose pass from a nervous Kabras as he touched down the team's second try that was not converted.

With their backs against the wall, man of the match Kubu, who scored 24 of the 34 points, cleverly received the ball from a Kabras scrum and attacked the blind side. A decision that yielded results against Oilers as they trailed 8-18 going into the break following an unsuccessful conversion.

Upon resumption of the second half Ominde drilled in another penalty but a sublime no look pass from Kubu set up Teddy Akala's center post try which the Fijian born back converted to take the scores to 15-21.

Immediately after, Kabras landed another try that gave them a first time lead in the match as Jeanson Musoga touched down with Kubu converting to take the scores to 22-21.

Kabras RFC - a story of hope and quest to end long suffering in Kenya Cup

The Kenya Simbas playmaker added six more points from his boot as he gave Kabras a 28-21 lead with just ten minutes to go.

Despite having momentum on their side, Kabras were almost forced into sudden death extra time as Timothy Omela danced his way past the Kabras defense, restoring parity at 28-28 when Ominde converted.

That however proved to be their ending point as the resplendent Kubu once again added six points from two penalties to lead the team to a 34-28 victory that gifted Kabras the 2021/2022 championship trophy.