Defending champions Kabras Sugar RFC are leaving nothing to chance as they prepare to host KU Blak Blad in the Kenya Cup semi-final on Saturday at the Kakamega Showgrounds.
Despite their status as heavy favorites, Kabras head coach Carlos Katywa has dismissed any talk of underdogs, insisting that the university side has earned their place at the table.
Blak Blad enters the clash following a gritty varsity derby win over Strathmore Leos, while the Sugar Millers secured a direct semi-final spot after finishing the regular season at the summit of the log.
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Katywa, who has guided the side through a historic campaign, emphasized that respect for the opponent is paramount while speaking during the club’s training session on Thursday.
“I’ve always mentioned this and I’ve always said there are no underdogs when you’re playing playoffs. So, there’s no way we are going to undermine any team. I think credit needs to be given where it’s due; they’ve done well for them to get where they are.
What is important for us mostly is never about emphasizing on the opponent. Yes, we look at their weaknesses and their strengths, but it’s always to better ourselves and look at our strongest points.”
The Millers have been bolstered by the return of key stars following the conclusion of the Hong Kong SVNS. Playmaker Brian Tanga, who recently made a successful return from injury to help the national team, and Kevin Wekesa have rejoined the camp in Kakamega.
However, Katywa revealed a calculated strategy regarding their involvement, noting the physical toll of transitioning from the shorter format.
“Talking about the national team players coming into play, it’s almost impossible for them to start. They have not been in the fold, they probably don’t really understand most of our systems, hence especially with players coming from Sevens,you remember they play a system of 14 minutes, so you can’t give them a 60-minute game. It becomes a problem.
They come in as impact players off the bench, and obviously, when the game is now nice and open, that’s their strongest suit and that’s how we are also going to use them.”
Kabras enters the match riding an unprecedented wave of momentum. As of April 2026, the club has reached a landmark 52 matches unbeaten.
Since their promotion in 2014, they have appeared in every single Kenya Cup final, winning five title including the last four in a row (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025).
The Kakamega-based side is chasing a historic treble after already securing a spot in the Enterprise Cup final and recently lifting the Great Rift 10-Aside trophy in April.
The winner of the match between Blak Blad and Kabras will face either KCB Rugby or Nondescripts RFC in the 2026 Kenya Cup Final.