Kenya Cup debutants South Coast Pirates to host Dutch side in preseason friendly

Kenya Cup newcomers, South Coast Pirates, are stepping up their preparations for their inaugural top-tier campaign with a high-profile friendly against Dutch side, Olympus FC.

The match, scheduled for the Seacrest Grounds on Thursday will also serve as the launch event for the Pirates’ new kit for the 2024/25 season.

The match will also serve as a crucial test for the Pirates as they look to hit the ground running in the Kenya Cup.

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The coastal outfit made history as the first team from Kwale to qualify for the top tier after a narrow 16-14 win over Impala in a tightly contested Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship final. They are leaving no stone unturned in making a strong impression in their debut season.

“Club update! International friendly alert. SC Pirates will tomorrow (Thursday) take on the Olympus Rugby Team from the Netherlands in an international friendly match at the Seacrest International Grounds, Diani, from 4 PM EAT,” the club announced.

The Pirates are encouraging their supporters to come out in large numbers to cheer the team.

“The match will be used as part of the pre-season preparation ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 Kenya Cup Season. See you at the Seacrest Grounds,” the statement added.

The team’s coach Kevin Amiani noted that the match would provide a stern examination of their capabilities and offer valuable insights for the coaching staff.

“We have been training but we want to gauge our skills. The Kenya Cup is almost here and we want to make a good impression. This is a home match, and we will approach it with the seriousness it deserves,” Amiani told Mozzart Sport.

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This match will mark a historic moment, as they become the first team from Kwale to host an international side in a friendly.

At the same time, the tactician explained the team’s absence from the ongoing National 7s Circuit which has raised eyebrows among the fans.

Amiani attributed the absence to financial constraints. He explained that the high costs associated with travel to different tournament venues have hindered their participation.

Despite this setback, the coach remained optimistic about the team's prospects in the upcoming Kenya Cup season.

“If we get a sponsor today, we will compete in Dala 7s. We lack finances to compete in the circuit. We will compete in the Driftwood 7s which is like a home tournament as we gear up for the 15s version,” he concluded.