Kabras RFC head coach Mike Bishop has four matches to save his job this month after a disappointing start to the Kenya Cup season.
The sugar millers were last season’s surprise package, reaching the final before losing to KCB. They have, however, under-performed this season, winning one match out of five and are currently placed 10th in the standings with eight points.
Kabras won their opening match by beating Bungoma Sharks 87-3 but lost to Quins 21-17 before drawing with Mwamba 20-20. They then lost 16-5 to Nakuru and 40-15 to champions KCB.
Kabras next four fixtures this month include return matches against Quins and Bungoma and two other tricky matches against Homeboyz and Strathmore. Club hierarchy believe if they will have to win the next four games if they are to move up the standings and qualify for the playoffs later in the season.
Kabras RFC chairman Roy Olendo yesterday expressed confidence that the club will turnaround their fortunes, starting this Saturday with a match against Quins at the Kakamega show ground.
“You have to understand that we signed a couple of players and the combinations have not worked. We have sat down with the technical bench and told them to stick to a settled side and start winning matches,” added Olendo.
Sources at the club told the star the that coach Bishop and assistant coach Anthony Ogot have not had a good working relationship and that was evident in team selection with both favouring different group of players. Insiders insist Ogot should be given leeway as he has been with the squad over a longer period of time and having been a former player and international, he knows the dynamics and intricacies of the team better than the Australian.
Kabras signed Max Adaka and Fabian Olando from KCB and Ugandan Ronald Musaju. They also signed a trio of Fijian players who include Jone Kuto, Jone Navuso, Seva Racigi and Apenisa Natabua to bolster their roster.
Adaka has been the pick of the latest signings so far with his eye catching display in the five matches played this season. Olendo added that the goal this season is to win the league after coming second last season. “Our season’s goals have not changed. We believe in this team and we are confident we can go all the way despite the shaky start we have had this season. The league is wide open at this stage and if we can go on good run, we can be higher up in the standings,” added Olendo. Bishop is expected in the country this week after the Christmas and New year break.