Kenya’s development rugby team, the Morans, achieved a stunning and historic victory by winning the Zambezi Challenge 7s title in Zimbabwe without letting any opponent score a single point against them across five matches.
They secured the trophy by beating the hosts, Zimbabwe Cheetahs, 14-0 in a tough final, with Floyd Wabwire scoring both tries.
After a scoreless first half and errors all through, the deadlock was broken in the second half. Floyd Wabwire shrugged off defenders for the opening try with Rayvon Ambale, the eventual tournament MVP converting for a 7-0 lead.
Moments later, Wabwire struck again with his second try, and with the successful conversion, the Morans clinched the 14-0 victory.
This marked the fourth time the Morans had beaten Zimbabwe this year. The rivalry began at the Safari 7s in August, where Kenya won 27-7 in the group stage and later edged the hosts 19-12 in the third-place playoff.
The Morans’ journey to the title saw them score an astonishing 186 points while shutting out every opponent, a testament to the team’s balance of attacking flair and defensive discipline.
Comprising emerging and reserve players outside the senior Shujaa squad, the Morans began their campaign in style on Saturday with a 41-0 rout of Old Hararians, followed by a 36-0 win over Pitbull in the group stage.
In Sunday’s final, Kenya briefly went down to six men after Jackson Siketi received a yellow card, but the hosts failed to take advantage, leaving the first half scoreless. Zimbabwe later suffered a setback of their own when one of their players was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Chrisant Ojwang.
Menengai Oilers successfully retain Impala Floodlit
Elsewhere at the Impala ground on Saturday, Menengai Oilers defended their Impala Floodlit title after overcoming stubborn Nondies 32-20.
While Oilers were looking to defend their title, Nondies were chasing their first Floodlit championship since 2012, having suffered back-to-back final defeats to KCB in 2022 and 2023.
The defending champions wasted no time making their intentions clear. Captain Ibrahim Ayoo opened the scoring with a try just four minutes into the game. Bruce Odhiambo missed a penalty for Nondies.
Chrispine Shitundo extended the champions’ lead seven minutes later scoring a converted try, pushing the score to 12-0. Nondies hit back with a try from Ryan Odrua to make it 12-7, but the Oilers quickly responded with another try of their own, re-establishing a 17-7 advantage.
Odrua kept Nondies in the contest with his second try, narrowing the deficit to just five points. An Aturo touch down and an Omela conversion brough Oilers total points tally to 24.
A late penalty from Odhiambo ensured Nondies remained within striking distance going to the break.
Nondescripts emerged with renewed energy in the second half, and their pressure paid off when Lamec Ambetsa finished a superb attacking move on the wing, cutting the Oilers’ lead to 24-20.
Just as Nondies seemed to be gaining momentum, Oilers winger Beldad Ogeta delivered a decisive blow. He broke through the defensive line and embarked on a blistering 40-metre solo run to score, restoring a comfortable nine-point lead for his team.
With the clock ticking down, the Oilers added a penalty just before the 70-minute mark to extend their lead to 32-20. They managed the final stages of the game effectively, holding firm to seal their second consecutive Impala Floodlit championship.
JKUAT cougars crowned varsity champions
The JKUAT Cougars clinched the 2025 Impala Floodlit Varsity title with a 31–23 victory over USIU Martials. This win caps a remarkable season for the Cougars, who recently celebrated their first-ever Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) success and made it to the KRU Championship quarterfinals.
JKUAT took an early lead through a penalty from their coach and former KCB Rugby flyhalf, Smith Muhoya, putting them ahead 3–0. USIU quickly leveled with a penalty and then went ahead 8–3 after a try from sustained pressure. However, JKUAT responded when Karl Omito cleverly broke through for a try under the posts, converted by Muhoya to regain the lead at 10–8.
In the second half, USIU briefly retook the lead with a penalty, but JKUAT’s Mwangi Bonnke powered over after a quick ruck pass, followed by a penalty from Muhoya, making it 18–11. USIU fought back with a try but failed to convert, trailing 18–16. JKUAT extended their lead with a powerful lock’s try and further penalties from Muhoya. Despite a late USIU try and conversion narrowing the gap to 28–23, Muhoya’s final penalty sealed the 31–23 victory for the Cougars.
Mwamba RFC Ladies retain title
Mwamba RFC Ladies successfully defended their Impala Floodlit crown with a commanding 44–11 win over Impala Roans in the final same day in a repeat o the 2024 final (which was not played due to Impala’s last-minute withdrawal).
Mwamba dominated early, taking a 17–3 lead at halftime through three tries (one converted), while Roans managed only a penalty. The second half saw Mwamba run rampant, adding 27 points and conceding just eight, comfortably securing the championship.
