Amonde left purring after KCB ended Oilers unbeaten Kenya Cup run

KCB RFC head coach Andrew Amonde has lauded his players for their resilience and composure after they produced a clinical second-half display to defeat Menengai Oilers 25-15 in a gripping Kenya Cup clash at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Saturday.

The hard-fought victory not only ended Oilers’ unbeaten run this season but also propelled KCB back into second place on the Kenya Cup standings with 43 points. Having spent much of the campaign in third, the bankers’ timely win keeps them firmly in contention as the race for top honours intensifies heading into the final rounds of the league phase.

Amonde acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge his side faced in Nakuru, particularly against an Oilers outfit that had built momentum through a string of strong performances.

“We knew coming to Nakuru would be tough. Oilers are a quality side and they showed that today,” said Amonde. “I’m proud of how the boys managed the second half, especially our discipline and game control. The weather was a challenge but we worked our way through it to get the win. Taking the points when they came made the difference. We’ll keep taking it one game at a time as we build towards the play-offs.”

The result marked Oilers’ first defeat of the season and saw Gibson Weru’s charges slip to third place on 40 points. With the battle for direct semi-final qualification heating up, Oilers must now win their remaining fixtures to keep their hopes alive.

Beyond tactics and execution, Amonde credited team unity and morale as key factors behind the win.

“It’s about giving everyone an opportunity and building that bond within the squad. The unity in camp has really lifted the players. Everyone understands their role, and that belief showed today. This win has boosted us heading into the next match because the boys are psyched up,” he added.

Attention now shifts to a blockbuster showdown against league leaders Kabras Sugar RFC at the KCB Sports Club on March 7, 2026. Kabras remain top of the table and made history over the weekend by registering their 50th consecutive Kenya Cup victory, a remarkable streak stretching back to 2022. They are closing in on securing a direct home semi-final spot.

Round Nine action across the country reshaped the standings significantly. Strathmore Leos cemented their top-four status with a win over MMUST to move to 26 points, while Blak Blad climbed to fifth after ending a four-match winless run.

Elsewhere, Nakuru RFC revived their playoff ambitions by defeating Kisumu RFC, moving to seventh with 17 points. Kenya Harlequin snapped a six-match losing streak to sit eighth, while Impala RFC and MMUST remain locked in a tense relegation battle. Kisumu stay rooted to the bottom with just one win all season as the competition heads toward a dramatic conclusion.