Kenya Harlequin will seek to end a 28-year wait for the Impala Floodlit title when they face KCB Rugby in the 2026 men's final after reaching their first final since 2014, on October 31, at Impala Club in Nairobi.
The encounter presents Harlequin with an opportunity to reclaim the championship for the first time since 1998, while also offering a chance to avenge their 2014 final defeat against the same opponents.
The two clubs will meet in the 43rd edition of the annual competition, with the final scheduled for 7:30pm.
Harlequin secured their place in the decider after edging Nondescripts RFC 28-24 in the semi-finals on October 24, ending a 12-year absence from the tournament's final.
Their victory was particularly significant as it marked their first win in six meetings against Nondies, setting up a rematch with KCB, who defeated them 30-3 in the 2014 final.
Head coach Patrice Agunda, who featured for Harlequin in that 2014 defeat, will now lead the side into the championship match, hoping to guide the club to another Floodlit crown.
Agunda attributed the team's progress to improved unity and the players' commitment to supporting one another through difficult periods.
He said the squad had developed greater belief in its collective ability, crediting the players' willingness to work together for their return to the final.
Harlequin's challenge, however, will be to contain a KCB side that has demonstrated considerable attacking strength throughout the competition.
The bankers booked their place in the final after delivering a commanding 64-11 victory over Mwamba RFC in the other semi-final, scoring 10 tries to secure their passage.
KCB established a 38-0 advantage at half-time before maintaining their attacking pressure in the second half.
Festus Shiasi scored a hat-trick, while Fortune Arturo grabbed two tries in the emphatic victory. Branton Lusisa, Nigel Amaitsa, Emmanuel Opondo, Elvis Olukusi and Stephen Osumba also contributed to the scoring.
The result sets up a repeat of the 2014 final, with KCB seeking to add another championship to their record and Harlequin hoping to change the outcome of their previous meeting.
Agunda has identified KCB's forward pack, particularly its strength in the scrum, lineout and maul, as an area his side must address.
He said Harlequin would need to match their opponents' physicality while maintaining defensive discipline and using their strength at the breakdown and speed among the backs.
The coach also emphasised the importance of communication and decision-making under pressure, noting that his players must remain composed and execute their game plan throughout the contest.
Harlequin have won the Impala Floodlit title three times, with their previous championships coming in 1990, 1997 and 1998. They also reached the final in 2002 and 2008 before their 2014 appearance.
A victory on Saturday would therefore give the club its fourth Floodlit championship and end nearly three decades without the trophy.
Beyond the men's final, Saturday's programme will feature several other championship matches, including the women's final between Quins Queens and Mwamba RFC, scheduled for 12:50pm, and the university final between Daystar Falcons and JKUAT at 2:30pm.
For Harlequin, however, the main assignment will be overcoming KCB and converting their long-awaited return to the final into a championship victory.
