Menengai Oilers have bolstered their squad with the arrival of Elkeans Musonye from Quins and Abdon Jadah from Masinde Muliro University in preparations for the new Kenya Cup season.
Speaking on Wednesday, head coach Gibson Weru — whose side crashed out in the semis last season — said the two will be key in their quest for the title.
Weru said they lacked physicality in backrow, especially against the likes of champions Kabras and runners-up KCB.
"Our backrow in terms of size was very small and we came short against the big boys. But with the addition of Musonye and Abdon, we will be able to compete against them when it comes to the breakdown, lineout and maul,” observed Weru.
Musonye brings a wealth of experience to the Nakuru-based side, having played for MMUST, Impala, and Quins as well as the Simbas in the last five years.
“He is a very experienced player, very combative backrow forward, an excellent reader of the game and a good defender. He is going to mentor some of our young players too,” said Weru.
Oilers received good news with the return of flanker Harold Anduvate, who sustained a torn cruciate ligament injury in 2021.
Weru is delighted to have one of his talismanic players back in the team, saying: "He has had a lot of setbacks as he recovered from the injury but he has been training well with us, and I am happy he is back. He will be a big asset for us during the 15s season."
Weru, a former Kenya Sevens and Nakuru playmaker, said they will be playing at next month's Impala Floodlit tournament in preparation for the Kenya Cup season.
"We are looking to the Impala Floodlit tournament in mid-October. We lost in the semifinals last season so we hope to go one place better and win it," noted Weru.
Weru is confident the heartbreaks of last season, where they fell 38-20 to KCB in the Kenya Cup semis, have been overcome.
