Cheetahs are the 2024 Rugby Super Series Champions after a 18-11 win over Lions at RFUEA Grounds which has handed them the third RSS title.
Lions were eyeing their second title after their 2008 success, while the Cheetahs coached Lawrence Buyachi were chasing their third title after victories in 2004 and 2006.
The Rhinos, who dished out a walkover in the third-place playoff, are the most successful side with six titles, while the Buffaloes, Ndovu, and Kifaru each have one title.
The Cheetahs had the chance to go ahead in the first minute after a Lions player handled the ball in an offside position. Quinto Ongo’s attempt at splitting the uprights sailed wide to the right.
The Cheetahs would pay as Emmanuel Mboya was shown his marching orders after an intentional knock-on.
The Lions then went on a rampage, trying to capitalize on their numerical advantage, but the Cheetahs held on, getting the first points on the board from the boot just as Mboya was making his way back to the pitch.
The Cheetahs would breathe a sigh of relief as Levy Amunga missed a chance to pull the Lions level, failing to convert a penalty from 10 meters out. Their reprieve would be short-lived as Levy would eventually pull the Lions level from the boot.
Ogeta thought he had opened the scoring, only for Constant Cap to call back the ball for a forward pass in the build-up.
Ongo slotted in another penalty from 30 meters out for the Cheetahs to retake the lead, bringing the score to 6-3.
An erroneous spell curtailed any side from scoring as the score remained 6-3 heading into the break.
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Lions were quicker coming out of the sheds, striking in the first minute of the second stanza after an Amunga switch put Eliakim Kichoi in space to gain 15 or so meters. The resulting pressure led to a penalty, with Emmanuel Opondo taking a quick tap to release Givens Oduor, who went over the line. Amunga added the extras, taking the score to 10-6.
Denis Abukuse then ran a hard line, slicing through the green defense only to be stopped five meters shy of the whitewash. Felix Odhiambo made a curling run to score on the outside, allowing the Cheetahs to retake the lead, with the score now 11-10.
The Lions came close to scoring but lost the ball on the try line. The Cheetahs punished the Lions, with Ibrahim Oyoo going over from close range and Ongo converting for a 17-11 lead.
Obat Kuke missed another chance to put the Lions ahead after being held up under the posts.
The remainder of the half was tightly contested, with the Lions attacking and the Cheetahs defending fiercely, resulting in an 18-11 final score.
