Abuga shines as Pirates sink Strathmore Leos for first Kenya Cup win

Diani-based SC Pirates ended their winless run in the Kenya Cup with a historic 15-8 victory over Strathmore Leos at the Seacrest International Grounds in Diani yesterday.

The landmark win marked the Pirates' first-ever triumph in the league, highlighted by an outstanding performance from winger Devin Abuga.

Making his season debut, Abuga wasted no time making an impact, scoring a try in the opening minutes to give the Pirates a 5-0 lead. Although the conversion attempt went wide, the home side maintained pressure throughout the first half.

Abuga struck again just before halftime, scoring his second try to extend the lead to 12-0 as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw a determined Strathmore Leos fight back, with Philemon Olang crossing the try line to narrow the gap to 12-5.

Arnold Muita’s penalty further reduced the deficit to 12-8. However, Pirates’ Kelly Akengo responded with a well-taken penalty to stretch the lead to 15-8, restoring control for the hosts.

The Pirates' defence stood strong in the final stages, securing a memorable victory that ended their drought in the Kenya Cup.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after the match, SC Pirates coach Kevin Amiani expressed his elation.

“This win means everything to the team. We’ve worked tirelessly, and today’s result is a testament to these players' effort and belief. Devin Abuga’s return was a huge boost, and his performance speaks for itself. We’re building something special here, and this is just the beginning,” Amiani said.

The Pirates now focus on their next match as they travel to Nairobi to face Mwamba RFC in the 6th round of the 2024/25 Kenya Cup season.