Menengai Oilers assistant coach reveals systems put in place to land maiden ESS title
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 08.04.25. | 17:33
The Oilers were trailing 6-3 at halftime, but they rallied from behind and showed maturity beyond their years to clinch the historic title
Menengai Oilers’ development project reaped dividends on Saturday, 5 April, as their second-string side won their maiden Eric Shirley Shield (ESS) title.
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The Nakuru-based side edged out hosts KCB Rugby 15-12 in a tightly contested, tryless final at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka.
Just a week prior, the Oilers’ senior team had stunned KCB’s senior side 31-7 at the same venue to book a slot in the Kenya Cup final for the second time in their history. The ESS win added another feather to the club’s already decorated cap.
The Oilers were trailing 6-3 at halftime, but they rallied from behind and showed maturity beyond their years to clinch the historic title.
Mozzart Sport caught up with the team’s assistant coach, Lawi Buyachi, who was full of praise for the youthful squad, which included players as young as 17.
Oilers made some questionable decisions in key moments, notably opting for a scrum deep in KCB territory instead of going for points. However, they came in stronger in the second half to win the match. Buyachi opened up on the halftime pep talk that turned the tides.
“The boys are young. We even have a 17-year-old in the team. I can say we do not have that mental tenacity, but what we spoke about during halftime worked for us and they knew what to do playing with an experienced side like KCB. The boys came around well,” he started.
He continued: “I told them that they have to be braver. And they came out braver in the last half and they showed the intentions Oilers have in the future.”
Apart from the decision-making, the Oilers showcased brilliance in their set pieces, and Buyachi could not be prouder.
“The biggest takeaway was our set pieces. In terms of our lineouts, scrums, the boys were very brave and I commend them for that,” he offered.
Buyachi further noted that the club's long-term success lies in the systems and structures set in place to develop young talent. He noted that they were focused on creating depth in the squad to sharpen their competitive edge.
“The Oilers model at the moment is a good one because we look for young players from schools across the country. They come to the system after form four. We have camps, and there is a whole process,” he averred.
The former Kisumu RFC tactician went ahead to thank the head coach, Gibson Weru for his vision for the club and the sponsors for supporting the team.
"The onset of the club, the support from our sponsors, and the head coach, Gibson Weru, have been trying to assemble a department. He has been unique in gathering a side that can help him achieve his dream, and we are just part of it,” he revealed.
Initially, the match was scheduled for Saturday,12 April, but KCB allowed it to be played earlier. KCB Rugby’s bronze match opponents, Nondies RFC, issued them a walkover, and KCB chose to end their 15s season with the ESS final match.
“Thanks to KCB for having us in a day that was not meant to be a game day. The fans were amazing,” Buyachi concluded.
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