Champions Playbook: Coach Kevin Amiani shares winning formula

A thrilling and historic 2023/2024 Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship season for Kwale-based South Coast Pirates RFC was summed up with a Championship victory, 11 wins, and a single loss to old rivals Daystar Falcons.

The Pirates had never defeated the Falcons in a Championship match before their triumphant 30-15 victory in the Championship final played at the Seacrest Grounds in Diani.

The win saw Kevin Amiani’s charges bid goodbye to the KRU Championship league which was their home for the past seven years.

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In the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, the Pirates came close to securing their promotion but were edged out by Mean Machine and Nondies respectively. Amiani noted that they started the season with the ‘do or die’ mentality.

With the taste of victory still fresh, Mozzart Sport chatted with coach Amiani who shared tactics that gave them a perfect run.

Early in the 2024 season, the Pirates made a significant addition to their coaching staff, signing former Kenya Simbas international, Brian Nyikuli, as their forwards coach. Nyikuli served as Kenya U20 forwards coach and is a seasoned rugby professional with a wealth of experience.

The ex-Kenya Simbas captain and backrower’s expertise was instrumental in propelling the Pirates to greater heights.

The team also acquired some of the best players from different teams in the Coast region and within the country. They roped in Kelly Akeng’o, an experienced flyhalf who had stints with Western sides Kabras RFC and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) rugby. Kelly has been instrumental to the Pirates thanks to his kicking abilities.

They also signed Brighton 'Zangi' Omondi, James Ainea, and Mohammed Hajj from the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) Marines, Gilbert Ochieng, and Newton Okeyo from Nakuru RFC, Micky Odhiambo from Kisumu RFC, and Sospeter Rofino from Kenya Harlequins.

For Amiani, the new players brought in the much-needed depth for such high-intensity matches. He was glad that they gelled with the rest of the team, attributing their flawless run to the perfect preseason.

“We had the best preseason, the environment was conducive for players to gel and train. We had a clear plan, and the players bought the plan. Even when we lost a match, it was easy for us to get back to the plan. Our managing committee has also been doing their best. We have not had major challenges,” the youthful tactician told Mozzart Sport.

With the competitiveness of the top-tier league awaiting, Amiani noted that their main goal was to survive relegation. He however revealed that the technical bench was working on a five-season plan, optimistic that all goes well.

“Our main goal in the Kenya Cup will be to stay in the top tier. At the moment, I am working on a five-year plan, but first, we want to ensure that we survive relegation then we can build on that,” he offered.

Besides the competition, a bigger challenge awaits them; finances. The team is based in Diani and to survive in the Kenya Cup league, they would have to travel to away matches in counties like Kakamega and Kisumu. Capacity building, player welfare, and improvement of facilities are also major factors.

Amiani noted that they were relentlessly looking for sponsors to help shield the burden.

“We are looking for financial support so that we can survive. Then, we build capacity in terms of player depth, welfare, pitch, gym, and nutrition plan, and ensure we give players the right exposure. We will take them to tournaments like Impala Floodlights so that they can play those big matches before the season begins. We want them to have a feeling of what to expect in the Kenya Cup,” he averred.

At the same time, the tactician was optimistic that the triumph would serve as the trendsetter for rugby in Kwale County. He was pleased that it would serve as a pathway for aspiring rugby players in the county.

“This win goes beyond the club. It is a huge achievement in Kwale County and around the community. We also believe that playing Kenya Cup matches at the Seacrest Grounds will improve sports tourism in Diani,” he said.

He continued: “It will also inspire the young guys who want to play rugby that they have a pathway. They do not have to go to Nairobi or Western to play the Kenya Cup because it is within their town. If they come to the club and we see their talent, we will take them in and groom them until they can play Kenya Cup.”

As he concluded, Amiani extended gratitude to their fans for their unwavering support, noting that it went a long way in bringing the victory home.

“I want to thank the fans for believing in us because it has been a long time coming but finally it has come to pass. We appreciate their support. We promise them bigger and better wins,” he offered.

The Pirates are now enjoying their off-season, with the swaying palms and the salty air of Diani Beach after their hard-earned victory.