The much-anticipated 2024/25 Kenya Cup season is set to kick off on November 16, promising thrilling rugby action as top Kenyan clubs battle for supremacy. The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has officially released the fixtures for the upcoming season, revealing an exciting lineup of matches, including key derbies and intense rivalries. With reigning champions Kabras RFC defending their title, and several other clubs vying for glory, the stage is set for an unforgettable season.
This year’s Kenya Cup will follow a single-round format, with six matches scheduled for each weekend. The top six teams will advance to the playoffs, semifinals, and ultimately, the grand final. The season will also integrate Enterprise Cup matches, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans and teams alike.
Opening Weekend Matches
The 2024/25 season kicks off on November 16 with six eagerly awaited fixtures. Reigning champions Kabras RFC, who clinched the title last season, will face newly promoted Impala RFC in what promises to be a captivating opener. Impala secured their spot in the Kenya Cup by defeating MMUST, marking their return to the top-tier competition.
Meanwhile, KCB Rugby, one of the most decorated teams in Kenya Cup history and looking to reclaim the title, will take on South Coast Pirates, who earned their promotion by winning the KRU Championship. Menengai Oilers will host Kisumu RFC in another exciting clash, while Nondescripts will battle Strathmore Leos. Other matches include Kenya Harlequin FC facing Mwamba RFC, and K.U Blak Blad taking on Nakuru RFC.
Match Day 1 | Saturday 16 November 2024
- Kabras Sugar vs Impala RFC
- KCB Rugby vs South Coast Pirates
- Menengai Oilers vs Kisumu RFC
- Nondescripts vs Strathmore Leos
- Kenya Harlequin FC vs Mwamba RFC
- K.U Blak Blad vs Nakuru RFC
Key Fixtures and Rivalries to Watch
The 2024/25 Kenya Cup season is filled with highly anticipated derbies and rivalries, providing fans with exciting matchups throughout the season. One of the most exciting rivalries, the Nakuru Derby, will take place on matchday four when Nakuru RFC faces Menengai Oilers. This local derby always promises to be a fierce encounter, with both teams battling for bragging rights in Nakuru.
Another thrilling fixture is the Ngong Road Derby, which pits Kenya Harlequin FC against Impala RFC. This matchup, scheduled for the same matchday, will see these two iconic Nairobi-based clubs go head-to-head in what is always a closely contested battle.
One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the season is the Rai Derby, featuring Menengai Oilers and Kabras Sugar. Scheduled for matchday 10, this rivalry has grown in intensity over the years as both teams have risen to prominence in Kenyan rugby. Fans will also be looking forward to the showdown between Kabras RFC and KCB Rugby, set for matchday 11, where the reigning champions will host their formidable opponents in Kakamega.
The 2024/2025 #KenyaCup League fixtures confirmed! Who’s your favourite team facing on match day one? Read more here: https://t.co/rd1j4uFRgP pic.twitter.com/hpiJ79CW0G
— Kenya Cup (@TheKenyaCup) October 24, 2024
The Road to the Playoffs and Finals
The 2024/25 Kenya Cup season will follow a single-round format, with each team playing 11 matches. At the end of the regular season, the top six teams will advance to the playoffs, with the semifinal and final stages determining the ultimate champion.
The playoffs will take place on March 15, 2025, with the top two teams receiving byes to the semifinals, while the other four teams will battle for a spot in the final four. The semifinals are scheduled for March 22, 2025, and the grand final will be held on April 5, 2025, when one team will be crowned Kenya Cup champions.
In addition to the league matches, Enterprise Cup fixtures will be integrated into the season. This prestigious knockout competition will offer teams the chance to add another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinets, providing an extra layer of competition during the 2024/25 campaign.
Full Kenya Cup Fixtures: Highlights of Each Matchday
Match Day 2 | Saturday 23 November 2024
- K.U Blak Blad vs Impala RFC
- Nakuru RFC vs Kenya Harlequin FC
- Mwamba RFC vs Nondescripts
- South Coast Pirates vs Kabras RFC
- Strathmore Leos vs Menengai Oilers
- Kisumu RFC vs KCB Rugby
Match Day 3 | Saturday 30 November 2024
- Impala RFC vs South Coast Pirates
- Kabras Sugar vs Kisumu RFC
- KCB Rugby vs Strathmore Leos
- Menengai Oilers vs Mwamba RFC
- Nondescripts vs Nakuru RFC
- Kenya Harlequin FC vs K.U Blak Blad
The fixtures continue to intensify with each passing week, leading to critical showdowns that could determine which teams advance to the playoffs. Fans will also be eager to see how newly promoted teams like South Coast Pirates and Impala RFC perform as they look to make their mark in the Kenya Cup.
Match Day 4 | Saturday 7 December 2024
- Kenya Harlequin FC vs Impala RFC (Ngong Road Derby)
- K.U Blak Blad vs Nondescripts
- Nakuru RFC vs Menengai Oilers (Nakuru Derby)
- Mwamba RFC vs KCB Rugby
- Strathmore Leos vs Kabras Sugar
- Kisumu RFC vs South Coast Pirates
Match Day 10 | Saturday 22 February 2025
- KCB Rugby vs Impala RFC
- Menengai Oilers vs Kabras Sugar (Rai Derby)
- Nondescripts vs South Coast Pirates
- Kenya Harlequin FC vs Kisumu RFC
- K.U Blak Blad vs Strathmore Leos
- Nakuru RFC vs Mwamba RFC
Match Day 11 | Saturday 1 March 2025
- Impala RFC vs Nakuru RFC
- Mwamba RFC vs K.U Blak Blad
- Strathmore Leos vs Kenya Harlequin FC
- Kisumu RFC vs Nondescripts
- South Coast Pirates vs Menengai Oilers
- Kabras Sugar vs KCB Rugby
Kenya Cup Playoff and Final Dates
The 2024/25 Kenya Cup season will culminate with the top six teams battling it out for the prestigious trophy. The playoffs are scheduled for March 15, 2025, with the semifinals taking place the following weekend on March 22, 2025. The grand final, where the next Kenya Cup champion will be crowned, will take place on April 5, 2025.
Top Six Playoffs | Match Day 12 | Saturday 15 March 2025
Semifinals | Match Day 13 | Saturday 22 March 2025
Final | Match Day 14 | Saturday 5 April 2025
A Season of Exciting Rugby Action Ahead
The 2024/25 Kenya Cup promises to deliver thrilling rugby action as teams vie for supremacy in one of the most competitive leagues in Kenyan sport. With Kabras RFC defending their title and fierce rivalries set to unfold, this season is shaping up to be an unforgettable one. Rugby fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the opening weekend, where the journey toward the Kenya Cup championship will begin.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the key matchups and derbies, and get ready for an action-packed season of Kenyan rugby!
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