Action between Nairobi and Lenana schools at the regional championships held at Jamhuri High School/HANDOUTLenana School head coach Nelson Omukuti will refine tackle completion and defensive alignment in their bid to reach the semifinals of the national Term Two games in Kakamega on July 28 — August 2.
Lenana were crowned Nairobi Sevens champions after thrashing fierce rivals Nairobi School 33-5 at Upper Hill School last weekend.
“We have a few issues to sort out defensively and improve our one-on-one tackles. I am confident that, with a few tweaks, we can go on a deep run at the nationals,” said Omukuti.
Omukuti targets the semifinals at the week-long championship, which will help them to qualify for the East African games on August 14-23 in Kakamega.
“Our goal this year is to qualify for the East African games. I believe the boys can achieve that and better our performance from our last time at the nationals, when we lost to Koyonzo in the quarters,” said Omukuti.
“Mean Maroon” were in superb form at the regionals, thrashing Kibera Secondary 61-0 and Moi Forces Academy 33-0 to top the rankings after the first round.
In the quarters, they blanked Jamhuri High School 45-0 and edged Dagoretti High 14-5 in a topsy-turvy semifinal encounter.
Dagoretti were their toughest rivals.
“That (match against Dagoretti) was the toughest. We had to show grit, character and tactical discipline to carry the day,” observed Omukuti.
The win was a small measure of revenge for Lenana, who lost to 19-7 Nairobi School at the semifinal stage of the 15s championships in the first term.
Omukuti will depend on the likes of Nairobi region's most valuable player and captain Eugene Annan, Fidel Sankan, Nigel Okoko, Edward Wasike and Cyprian Kibet.
Lenana have a favourable pool at the nationals. They face MPesa Academy from Central, Bishop Baldachinyo from Coast and powerhouses St Mary’s Yala from Nyanza.
