- The first Kenya Cup semifinal will feature KCB RFC taking on Menengai Oilers at the KCB Sports Club at 4:00 pm.
- The second semifinal of the day will see defending champions Kabras face Nondies at the ASK Kakamega Showground at 4:00 pm.
- Menengai Oilers’ head coach, Gibson Weru, is confident of defeating KCB at home and advancing to the finals.
Menengai Oilers will be aiming to overcome KCB Rugby when the two teams face off in a 2024/25 Kenya Cup semifinal set to take place on Saturday (4 PM) at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
The Bankers secured the final spot in the semifinals after finishing second in the regular season with only one loss, amassing 50 points.
Menengai Oilers, on the other hand, were forced to participate in the playoffs, securing third place on the standings before defeating KU Blak Blad in Nakuru last weekend.
This will mark the fifth consecutive year the two teams meet in the semifinals, with KCB emerging as the dominant force, having won three of the last encounters.
The last time Oilers triumphed over KCB was during the 2021/2022 season, when they also reached the finals, though they were defeated by Kabras.
Earlier this season, KCB came from behind to edge out the Oilers 29-27 at the Den. As a result, the Oilers will be looking to avenge that loss and secure a place in the final.
KCB vs. Oilers: Last four Kenya Cup semifinal results
- 2021: KCB 35-17 Menengai Oilers
- 2021-2022: Menengai Oilers 24-17 KCB
- 2022-2023: KCB 38-20 Menengai Oilers
- 2023-2024: KCB 21-12 Menengai Oilers
Despite KCB’s status as the favorites, Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has expressed that his team is not intimidated by the Bankers.
He is confident that they will put up a strong fight, even in the hostile away environment, and push to secure a win and progress to the final.
They are a very good team and have top players and great depth but we don’t fear them. Even if they are at home we will make them sweat to the limit because we are very much ready for them and our aim is to get a win
We missed some of our key players in the season regular but still game a run for their money at their home turf. I feel we have learnt our lesson well and I believe we will be ready to beat them and qualify for the final – Weru told Citizen didgital.
Meanwhile, KCB, who claimed the title last in 2019, will be aiming to reach the final for the fourth consecutive time.
Their winger, Austin Sikutwa, emphasized that the team is fully prepared to face the Oilers.
“So far, the season has been great, though we’ve had some tough matches along the way. We’ve had to put our best foot forward, focus on teamwork, and ensure we execute our game plan effectively.
The semi-final will be a tough match as it always is against Oilers, but I think the boys are ready, and we are well-prepared,” Sikutwa said to Capital Sports.
Kabras vs Nondies
In Kakamega, another showdown will unfold when defending champions Kabras Sugar take on the record Kenya Cup champions Nondies at the ASK Kakamega Showground at 4:00 pm.
Kabras earned their spot in the semifinals by finishing first in the regular season with 52 points, securing a home advantage for the semifinal.
Meanwhile, Nondies, led by Callum Oliver, Nondies triumphed over Kenya Harlequins in the playoffs last weekend.
This encounter will also be a epeat of last season’s semifinal, where Kabras triumphed 37-9, eliminating Nondies.
Earlier in the regular season, Nondies came close to ending a 12-match winless streak against Kabras, but the Carlos Katywa– coached side staged a dramatic comeback to win 7-3.
This promises to be an intense clash, with both teams striving to make history or rewrite it.
Kenya Cup 2025 Semifinal Fixtures
- Kabras RFC vs. Nondies – ASK Kakamega Showground – 4:00 pm
- KCB Rugby vs. Menengai Oilers – KCB Sports Club Ruaraka Grounds (The Den) – 4:00 pm
Team line-ups
KCB vs. Oilers
KCB: Nick Okullo, Griffin Musila, Wilhite Mususi, Andycole Omolo, Elvis Olukusi, Manasseh Oduor, Laban Kipsang, Davis Chenge-CC, Brian Wahinya, Emanuel Opondo, Jacob Ojee-CC, Tyson Maina, Elphas Adunga, Austine Sikutwa, Isaac Njoroge.
Subs: Fidel Maina, Erick Miheso, Patrick Ouko, Steve Wamai, Rocky Aguko, Jenkins Kipruto, Michael Wekesa**, Bob Muhati.
Oilers: Francis Atiti, Celestine Mboi, Vincent Mwikhali, Ibrahim Ayoo (C), Charles Osgood, Fortune Aturo, Nelson Makokha, Samuel Were, Samson Onsomu, Samuel Mwaura, Daniel Kipchirchir, Samuel Owamu, Chrispine Shitundo, Timothy Omela, Abutwalib Wesonga.
Reserves: Emmanuel Mulindo, Destrious Ifedha, Victor Were, Wallace Onyango, Elkeans Musonye, Andrew Odero, John Okoth, Amos Obae.
Kabras vs. Nondies
Kabras: Ephraim Oduor, Eugene Sifuna, Asuman Mugerwa, George Nyambua, Hillary Odhiambo, Gabriel Adero, Patrick Lumumba, Jeanson Misoga, Barry Robinson, Ntabeni Dukisa, Griffin Chao, Walter Okoth, Bryceson Adaka, Alfred Orege, Jackson Siketi.
Reserves: Teddy Akala, Edward Mwaura, Emmanuel Otieno, Jactone Osoo, Collins Indeche, Sam Omollo, Eric Cantona, Brian Mutua.
Nondies: Elisha Koronya, Boniface Ochieng, Collins Odwori, Hillary Baraza, Ryan Odua, Charles Omondi, Fred Shisia, Tony Owuor (C), Ronnie Omondi, Tony Fidens, Daniel Okito, Bruce Odhiambo, Charles Odhiambo, Stormy Odhiambo, Dominic Osino.
Subs: Zachary Marowa, Yusuf Abdullahi, Eric Shimoli, Steve Odhiambo, Geoffrey Magoro, Ian Mumbwani, Mcoses Begi, Sankara Wafula.
Match Officials for the Kenya Cup Semifinal
Kabras RFC vs. Nondies
- Centre Referee: Victor Oduor
- Assistant Referees: Kevin Wambugu, Robinson Kiplangat
KCB Rugby vs. Menengai Oilers
- Centre Referee: Kevin Kioko
- Assistant Referees: Godwin Karuga, Constant Cap