Kenya Simbas assistant coach Carlos Katywa has promised to make changes for the Elgon Cup match against Uganda on Saturday in Kisumu.
The visibly disappointed South African coach lambasted his charges after a 21-20 loss to Uganda, which saw them relinquish the Victoria Cup.
“It's very disappointing. The boys did not play to the structure and plan that we wanted. We will have to take the defeat on the chin and prepare for Saturday's Elgon Cup clash,” added Katywa.
"It's an unfamiliar position we find ourselves in. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. As a leader of this team, I take full responsibility for the defeat but the players also have to look at themselves and ask hard questions about their performance against Uganda and Zambia.”
The Kabras' head coach said they will do a thorough review of the performance before this weekend's encounter.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see where we went wrong and what worked. The positive is that head coach, Jerome Paarwater, will be available for the match on Saturday,” he added.
The Simbas were the victims of their own downfall — conceding several penalties and turnovers — an indication the team has not gelled well owing to a limited training period.
Katywa's charges got off to a good start with hooker Teddy Akala and winger Joel Inzuga scoring a try each with Jone Kubu kicking over a conversion for an early 12-0.
Uganda regrouped and fought their way back into the game with two penalties from Ivan Magomu to 12-6.
The hosts finished the half stronger with a try from Conrad Wanyama and a conversion by Magomu to lead 13-12 at the break.
In the second half, Kubu slotted a penalty to give the Simbas a 15-13 lead but the Cranes struck back with an unconverted try courtesy of Joseph Oyet to lead 18-15.
The visitors hit back with an unconverted try from winger Inzuga in the 74th minute but Uganda had the last laugh when Liam Walker kicked over a penalty to win the encounter.
