Butula Boys’ tactician Libondo Shimenga has exuded confidence in reaching the final after beating All Saints 12-9 in the last group stage matches of the Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games in Machakos.
Buffa Ashiono and Chadwick Omondi orchestrated two spectacular tries, while Michael Lukusi's precision conversion sealed the deal for Butula.
Despite a shaky start in their first group encounter, Shimenga issued a bold challenge to their rivals, declaring, "I'm geared up for the semis. Our mindset is fixed on the finals and we're defending our title."
After a gritty stalemate in their opening Pool ‘A’ match against Kisii High, Butula regained their stride, dominating St Patrick’s Iten 67-3 in their second outing before overcoming All Saints to secure a spot in the semis.
Having crossed paths six times before, with their last showdown resulting in a resounding 38-0 victory for Butula in the national finals last year, Shimenga acknowledged the familiarity between the two sides, emphasising the intensity of their latest battle.
“The match was tough. This is the sixth time we are meeting All Saints. We know each other in terms of our structures of play and how we execute our moves. I am glad we were able to win today,” Shimenga stated.
Amidst a halftime deficit of 9-7, Shimenga credited a strategic adjustment for their remarkable comeback, asserting, "I instructed the lads to minimise errors, particularly in offside positions. Our ball possession was crucial in turning the tide."
While revelling in their triumph, Shimenga highlighted areas for improvement ahead of the semifinal clash, pin-pointing the need to bolster their rucking prowess to reduce penalties conceded.
“We need to improve on our racks because that’s where we got the penalties from. Our boys did not arrive on the racks as quickly as possible. That is why All Saints got three penalties,” he stated.
Reflecting on the fierce competition witnessed in this year's tournament, Shimenga commended the tactical prowess of coaches and the narrow score differentials, underscoring its significance for rugby development.
“The level of competition this year has been tough. The margin of scores is incredible. The coaches are also tactical and it is good for rugby growth.”
The highest scoreline in this year’s tournament is Butula’s 67-03 win over St Patrick’s followed by Lenana’s 37-03 win over Marafa earlier on Thursday.
With standout performances throughout the tournament, Shimenga expressed optimism for the future, anticipating the emergence of these talented players in various national teams and age-grade setups across the country.
“I see a bright future for this young lot. Most of them will join different teams both U20 and U21 all over the country,” he stated.
