Masinde Murilo University of Science and Technology (MMUST) rugby coach John Asila is confident of a quick return to the Kenya Cup.
MMUST were relegated from the top tier after three seasons but speaking ahead of their KRU Championship opener, Asila said: “Our target is a quick return to the top-tier league.”
“We are patiently working hard towards this. And even though we lost eight key players, the current team is talented. This is a young and eager-to-learn team. Expect good rugby from MMUST.”
On their three seasons in the Kenya Cup, Asila said: “It was exciting and a learning curve for us. We were unlucky to get relegated, mainly because the fixture did not favour us. We played against big teams like Kabras and KCB at home and the rest away.”
He confirmed the departure of Griffin Chao, Reihard Ngaira, William Muhanji, Eric Cantona and Lameck Ambetsa to rivals Kabras Sugar while Timothy Mmasi left for the US and Abdon Jada joined Menengai Oilers.
However, MMUST signed Ian Oduor, Kevin Bukhala, Clarence Hope, Chruchill Oyugi and Daniel Mukambi.
He said their 14-13 win over Kabras in the Lake Victoria 15’s finals will boost his sides’ confidence.
“The win was good for our confidence. That is what people should expect from next season,” added Asila.
In other fixtures scheduled set for Saturday, Daystar Falcons host Mombasa as last year’s losing semi-finalists South Coast Pirates welcome Western Bulls in Diani, Kwale county.
Impala Saracens will battle fellow former Kenya Cup side, USIU Martials as Kabarak University face the University of Eldoret’s Trojans in a varsity derby.
