What to look out for in 2024/25 Kenya Cup season

The 2024/25 Kenya Cup season kicks off November 23 with over 60 matches scheduled across five months.

Here are some key highlights and storylines to look out for this season:

1. Enterprise and Kenya Cup to run concurrently

This season, Enterprise Cup matches will be played alongside the Kenya Cup, unlike previous seasons where Enterprise kicked off after the Kenya Cup concluded. Defending champions Kabras will aim to retain the title they have held since 2019.

KCB Rugby and Strathmore Leos huddle together after a past Kenya Cup match. PHOTO/KCB Rugby.

Running the Enterprise Cup concurrently is expected to reduce the number of walkovers, which had increased post-COVID-19. With no Mwamba Cup for Eric Shirley Shield teams, this is expected to allow top clubs to use fringe players in Cup competitions.

This setup will also bring a new twist to the competition as Kabras and KCB Rugby face the same path, grouped alongside Kenya Harlequin.

2. Four-peat potential

Will Kabras Sugar RFC achieve a historic four-peat? The Sugarmen have dominated the post-COVID-19 period, winning consecutive titles. Last season they joined the likes of KCB Rugby, Nondies, Impala, and Kenya Harlequin, who have previously achieved three-peat wins since 1970.

Kabras will aim to match KCB’s four-peat record under Curtis Olago (2016/17-2021) and keep hopes alive of also marching Impala’s five-peat (1970–1974) and Nondies’ (1978–1982).

3. Unbeaten streak

Defending champions Kabras enter the season with a two-year unbeaten streak. The last time they lost was in February 2022 against KCB at the KCB Sports Club.

Under South African tactician Carlos Katywa, Kabras will look to extend their winning streak but will have many club’s eyeing their scalp.

Who will end their run, or will they maintain it?

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4. New entrants: South Coast Pirates

The South Coast Pirates are set to make their Kenya Cup debut, becoming the first team from Kwale County to compete at this level.

The big question is whether they can emulate the success of debutants like Kisumu RFC, Western Bulls, MMUST, Kabras, and Menengai Oilers, who retained their status on their debut season or follow the path of Kisii RFC, Kenya Sharks, and Eldoret RFC, who struggled to sustain their positions.

5. Return of the Ngong Road Derby

With Impala’s promotion back to Kenya Cup, the iconic Ngong Road Derby between Impala and Kenya Harlequins is back.

This match will take place after the Christmas break, alongside the Nakuru Derby.

6. Relegation Battle

While the focus will be on the title race, eyes will also be on the relegation zone as the bottom two teams drop to the second tier. Will the newly promoted sides face the drop, or could established teams face the same fate as Impala and Nondies in 2022?

7. New Rules

This season will see the implementation of new rules in both Kenya Cup and the KRU Championship. How referees enforce these rules and how players adapt to them could significantly impact the season.

8. New Kenya Cup coaches/ players

Several clubs will head into the new campaign with new coaches as they look to reshape their seasons. Oliver Mang’eni has taken over at KCB Rugby following the departure of long-serving Curtis Olago, aiming to restore the Bankers’ dominance.

Impala RFC will be under Louis Kisia, who had a successful run with Strathmore Leos and is now tasked with leading the Gazelles in their return to Kenya Cup. Mwamba RFC have appointed Mark Mshila as head coach after his departure from KCB Rugby.

Mwamba RFC players ahead of a Kenya Cup match. PHOTO/Mwamba Rugby/X

Howard Okwemba is back at Kisumu RFC, returning to the helm after last coaching the side in the 2017/18 season. Nakuru RFC will be led by Simon Wariuki who is not new to the role. The new coaches are expected to bring fresh ideas to the team.

On the player front, clubs have strengthened their squads significantly. Menengai Oilers have added new faces, including Victor Were, Fortune Arturo, Amos Obae, and Samuel Ovwamu, who all made an immediate impact during the Impala Floodlit tournament.

Nondies, KCB, Impala, Kenya Harlequin, and other teams have also bolstered their rosters as they prepare for the challenges of the new season.

9. Race for direct semi-final slots/top six

Defending champions Kabras, KCB Rugby, and Menengai Oilers will target direct semi-final spots. Nondies, who made it to the semis last season, and Kenya Harlequis, looking to bounce back after a disappointing playoff exit, will also aim for strong performances.

The battle for top-six playoff positions is expected to be intense, with all teams eyeing a chance to compete for the semi-final and final slots.