T. NashipaeKRU Championship: Coach Amiani in squad to face Western Bulls as league begins
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 02.12.23. | 08:32
This year’s competition features 11 teams, following the withdrawal of Shamas Rugby
The 2023/24 KRU Championship kicks off on Saturday 2 December 2023 with five fixtures on the cards.
South Coast Pirates RFC who missed promotion to the top tier by a whisker will be keen to make amends this season when they welcome Western Bulls at the Seacrest Grounds on Saturday at 3 pm.
The Pirates look to capitalize on the home advantage to emerge victorious.
Coach Amiani has led by example, including himself in the squad set to play the Bulls. He noted that they were aiming for the stars this season.
While they have twice come close but fell short of their goal, the youthful tactician and his team believe that this is their year, and they will make their dream a reality. They came close to securing their promotion but were edged out by Mean Machine and Nondies respectively.
The Pirates made a significant addition to their coaching staff, signing former Kenya Simbas international, Brian Nyikuli, as their forwards coach.
Pirates have also brought in the services of Brighton 'Zangi' Omondi from Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) Marines and Micky Odhiambo from now Kenya Cup side Kisumu RFC. At the same time, the club snapped up Kelly Akengo from Kabete Stallions RFC among other new faces.
"We had 12 weeks of pre-season as we aimed to come up with an injury-free, fit, and well-bonded team. We had to give more time to our forwards' coach and create depth for him to give us a well-oiled machine," the soft-spoken Amiani told Mozzart Sport.
Meanwhile, former Kenya Cup side Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby who were relegated from the top tier last season, get the proceedings underway when they host JKUAT Cougars in the early kickoff at the Kakamega Showground.
This match, which kicks off at 10 am, was originally set for the Masinde Muliro ground which is unavailable owing to the University’s graduation ceremony set for Friday 1 December.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, MMUST Rugby's skipper Collins Ngoko noted they were anticipating a competitive championship league. He was, however, counting on the fresh blood in the team to show up as required.
"We are ready to start our season on a very high note keeping in mind that this league is competitive. We will tackle every game as it comes. Having a couple of fresh legs in the team shows that we have a young side but the boys are up to the task. We target to scoop maximum points in every game to boost the morale of the team," Ngoko offered.
Other matches on Saturday feature Daystar Falcons against Mombasa in Athi River while South Coast Pirates are at home to Western Bulls at the Seacrest Gardens in Ukunda.
Impala welcome the USIU Martials to the Impala Club while Kabarak University take on the University of Eldoret Trojans to the Kabarak University.
Mean Machine are not in action this weekend.
KRU Championship | Match Day 1 | Saturday 2 December 2023
Masinde Muliro v JKUAT Cougars | 10 am | Kakamega Showground
Daystar Falcons v Mombasa | 3 pm | Daystar University
South Coast Pirates v Western Bulls | 3 pm | Seacrest Gardens
Impala v USIU Martials |3 pm | Impala Club
Kabarak University v UoE Trojans | 3 pm | Kabarak University
