• RUGBY

• Frank Rotich 11 days ago

KCB shift focus to Kenya Cup play-offs after bowing out of Enterprise Cup

KCB Rugby have turned their attention to the Kenya Cup play-offs after falling to a narrow 11-10 defeat against Uganda’s Black Pirates in the Enterprise Cup quarter-final played at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku on Saturday.

The tightly contested match was decided by small margins, with both sides showing discipline and resilience throughout the game.

Black Pirates made a slow start, missing an early penalty that could have given them the lead. However, they quickly recovered, with Mukore Wayne slotting in a penalty to hand the hosts a 3-0 advantage.

Another successful penalty extended their lead to 6-0 as they maintained pressure on KCB.

Despite KCB enjoying a numerical advantage after Pirates captain Bob Muhati was sin binned, the Ugandan side held firm defensively and went into the halftime break leading 6-0.

KCB came back stronger in the second half, with Sheldon Kahi crossing over for their first try to cut the deficit to 6-5. However, the missed conversion proved costly in what would become a game of missed opportunities.

Pirates responded quickly, with Okelo scoring a crucial try to stretch their lead to 11-5 and regain control of the match.

The bankers refused to give up, and Michael Wekesa powered over for a late try to bring KCB within a single point at 11-10. Once again, KCB failed to convert, a miss that ultimately denied them the lead.

Speaking after the match, KCB Forwards Coach Brian Nyikuli admitted the loss was tough but shifted focus to the next challenge.

“We lost a tight one, and credit to Pirates for taking their chances. For us, the focus now shifts fully to the Kenya Cup playoffs. That is where our season will be defined, and we have to be sharper in those key moments,” he said.

KCB captain Bob Muhati echoed the sentiments, saying the team will learn from the defeat and come back stronger.

“It is a tough loss, especially in a game decided by such small margins. We take the lessons and move forward. Our focus is now on the Kenya Cup playoffs, and we believe we have what it takes to compete and finish strong,” he noted.

The result sees KCB exit the Enterprise Cup at the quarterfinal stage, but the team remains optimistic as they prepare for the decisive Kenya Cup playoffs.