Record Kenya Cup champions Nondies are seeking to improve their defensive alignment ahead of Saturday’s Kenya Cup kickoff.
Nondies’ head coach Callum Oliver said the side will be keen to replicate their last season’s form, where they reached the semifinals.
“We want to be in the playoff positions and go on a good run. However, that can only happen if we are sound defensively and don’t concede as many points as possible,” Oliver said.
The side, also known as ‘White Shirts’ finished fifth in the group phase and stunned Quins in the playoff quarter-final 26-20 before coming up short in the semifinal to champions Kabras in Kakamega, where they succumbed 37-9.
Oliver said he is satisfied with the side’s progression in the past two seasons.
“Two years ago, we got relegated and to come back in the next year and be in the Kenya Cup semifinal is remarkable progress. So in this season, we will take it a game at a time,” he added.
The Jamhuri Park-based club have been bolstered by the signing of Elisha Koronya from Quins and Ronnie Omondi alongside Tony Owuor from Mwamba as they look at having depth for the twin challenges of the Kenya and Enterprise Cup campaigns.
“We have signed three quality players and Koronya adds depth to our front row. Tony brings lots of experience while Ronnie brings the x-factor to our backline,” Oliver said.
Nondies played in the pre-season Impala Floodlit tournament, where they bagged the bronze after beating Blak Blad 31-15 in the third-fourth playoff match early this month.
Callum said the match was an eye-opener to the areas they have to address.
“We had a squad rotation during the tournament where we gave some our youthful players a chance to play and at the same time it highlighted the weak areas we have to get better,” noted Oliver.
Nondies begin their Kenya Cup
campaign with a tricky fixture against
Strathmore Leos with former coach
Willis Ojal now the Leos’ coach.
