KCB forwards coach Oliver Mang'eni says they have shifted their focus to the upcoming Sevens season following a trophy-less 15s season, which ended on Sunday.
The bankers missed the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup titles, won by fierce rivals Kabras.
The Thika roadside lost 29-5 to Kabras in the Kenya Cup final in April before succumbing to a 32-20 defeat in the Enterprise Cup final on Saturday.
However, Mang'eni believes there is a silver lining for the Sevens season in July and the 15s calendar in November.
“It's a young team which is in transition. We have learnt the lessons from the 15s season and we now look ahead to the defence of our title in the Sevens series and start planning for the 15s season,” noted Mang'eni.
He rued a lack of composure in key moments in the two finals.
“We were not clinical in the big moments in the two finals. We had chances, especially in the Enterprise Cup final. The red card to (Elvis) Namusasi before the interval cost us a chance of winning the trophy,” observed Mang'eni.
The bankers bagged the pre-season Impala floodlit trophy in October when they beat Nondies in the final 25-23 in extra time and the former Kenya Simbas international termed it as one of the high points of the season for the young side.
“Winning the floodlights was one of the bright spots of the season and we need to build on that next season," he said.
The bankers last won the Kenya Cup crown in 2021 when they beat Kabras 28-25 in sudden death at Nandi Bears.
Elsewhere, the Kenya U18 coach Paul Odera believes a donation of 50 training balls from Ingredion is a major boost to the U18 programme.
“The support from Ingredion will help us during the regional U18 trials in mid-June. It's always great to have corporates support rugby, especially the youngsters," said Odera.
"The U18 players are the feeder programme for the U20 team who eventually transition to Simbas and Shujaa."
The Ingredion Team is led by Ken Ouma — Business Director for Africa and the Middle East.
