Defence, kicking key to winning maiden Kenya Cup, says Oilers’ coach

Oilers' Amos Obae and Chrispine Shitundo during a past Kenya Cup match/HANDOUT

Defence and kicking are among the aspects Menengai Oilers will look to perfect as they hunt for a maiden Kenya Cup this season.

Fresh from winning back-to-back Impala Floodlit titles, head coach Gibson Weru believes his squad is still not the finished article as they attempt to seize the national title from Kabras.

“Technically, I want my team to be the meanest in defence. We don’t concede tries and points and use them as a launch pad to attack and score. It’s an area we struggled with last season, but I’m confident the boys are going to be sound defensively in the league this season,” said Weru.

On kicking, Weru emphasised its importance in dictating territory and possession.

“I want my team to be the best. If you kick well and you win the aerial contest, you can gain territory and possession and that has become a key facet of the game,” he noted.

In attack, Weru said they will adjust their structures to improve efficiency and precision in the opposition 22. 

“We will make tweaks to the structure to be more efficient and clinical when in the opponents’ 22 and have done a couple of plays from our set pieces to perfect that,” he said.

Weru’s men came up short last season, losing an epic Kenya Cup final 27–26 to Kabras, before suffering a 33–12 defeat to the sugarmillers in a lopsided Enterprise Cup final a fortnight later — a loss Weru admits was difficult to stomach.

After an extensive off-season review, he said they have reset their culture and values, with accountability now central for both players and the technical bench.

“We did a thorough review of what went wrong last season, especially in the finals, and we have adopted a mindset change in our culture and values to ensure that by the end of the season, we don’t see a repeat of the last.”

Weru also lauded the influence of former South Africa Under-20 coach Bafana Nhleko, who trained the side for a fortnight during pre-season.

“He gave us a few tips on game management and approach, and the areas we need to tighten, especially at the business end of the season,” said Weru.

The Nakuru-based side open their campaign against promoted Daystar Falcons on Saturday, then Impala and close the year against Kisumu RFC.