As the 2025 Kenya Cup final looms, Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has issued a rallying call to his charges, insisting that history will count for nothing when they take on defending champions Kabras Sugar on Saturday.

Despite never beating Kabras in a Kenya Cup fixture, Weru is unshaken and says his team is prepared to turn the tide ahead of the Rai Derby.

“We have never won a Kenya Cup game against them but what we want is a win on Saturday,” Weru affirmed, adding that his players are ready to challenge the odds in the high-stakes clash.

The clash is dubbed Rai Derby because the two clubs are sponsored by Rai Group.

Kabras Sugar is sponsored by West Kenya Sugar Company whose Managing Director is Tejveer Rai while Menengai Oilers is sponsored by Menengai Oil Refineries Limited under Managing Director Onkar Rai.

This will be the second time the Oilers and Kabras meet in a Kenya Cup final, their first being in 2022, which Kabras won convincingly.

But for Weru and his team, that loss was a catalyst for growth.

“It has been a work in progress over the season. We have improved in leaps and bounds. We have learnt a lot and adjusted how we prepare for the games,” said Weru.

The Nakuru-based Oilers have been in formidable form this season, showcasing depth, tactical intelligence, and a potent attack spearheaded by winger Beldad Ogeta, who leads the team’s try-scoring charts with 10 tries.

He is closely followed by Elkeans Musonye and Samwel Owamu tied at nine. Timothy Omela, a key figure in both attack and kicking duties, has eight tries, 19 penalties, and a remarkable 44 conversions to his name—highlighting his importance to the squad’s overall scoring power.

“Carlos and his teammates have really stepped up,” Weru noted, referring to his side’s attacking dynamism.

“The target from the beginning of the season was to win the Kenya Cup. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we were deliberate in our preparation.”

Weru praised Kabras Sugar for setting high standards in Kenyan rugby, acknowledging their three-season unbeaten run and their role in raising the bar for other teams.

“They have challenged us over the years and made us a better side. They have gone for three seasons unbeaten, that is not a mean achievement, so we know they are a formidable team,” he said.

But that record, he insists, will not intimidate his squad.

“We are not here to make up the numbers. We are here to compete and win. It’s about being pragmatic and brave,” Weru emphasised.

The Oilers will be banking on their top performers, including Clinton Odhiambo and Amos Obae, who each have five tries, as well as the solid playmaking from the likes of Omela and Abutwalib Wesonga, the latter adding 12 conversions to the team’s tally this season.

As the final approaches, Weru has urged Oilers fans to show up in full force to support their team.

“The players are very positive and excited to compete in this year’s final. We want to give them something to celebrate,” said the coach.