Improvement in the setpice and playing territory-based games are areas KCB must improve as the Kenya Cup league enters the playoff phase.
Head coach Oliver Mang’eni was unsatisfied with their performance in Saturday’s 29-27 win over Menengai Oilers.
“We got bullied in the scrum by Oilers, conceding several penalties and played in the wrong areas. We go back to the drawing board and ensure we are good in those facets of play ahead of the playoffs,” said Mang’eni.
The former Kenya Simbas international will make tactical tweaks to the side ahead of two blockbuster fixtures against Kabras — Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup — and Impala (Kenya Cup) coming up.
“We will make some minor tweaks to set-piece and adapt accordingly to ensure we win the Kenya Cup games and get a home semifinal,” noted Mang’eni.
He lauded his players for their never-say-die attitude against the Oilers, a match they trailed for huge periods before regrouping to end the Nakuru-based side’s unbeaten run.
“Credit to the boys. Oilers tested us from the first to the last minute, but we never threw in the towel. We kept fighting until the end. It bodes well for us as we get to thee nd of the season,” added Mang’eni.
He expects his players to be in peak condition for the playoffs. “I believe the boys will be at their best to cope with the pressure,” he added.
Following the win, the bankers rose to the top of the standings with 45 points, one better than champions Kabras, who beat Nondies 7-3, while Oilers stayed third with 41 points.
KCB will be favourites against Impala on Saturday, while Oilers have a tough task at home to Kabras. The league phase ends on March 8, with Kabras hosting KCB at the Kakamega showground.
The playoffs are slated for March 22, the semifinals on March 29 and the final on April 12.
