NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 7 – Mwamba coach Kepher Ndonji says they will not be bending over backwards for Kenya Cup leaders Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) when the two teams clash in their next top-tier fixture.
The lions remain unbeaten in all matches, following their 24-3 blanking of Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad on Matchday 5, but Ndonji warns that Kulabu will not be a walk in the park for the bankers.
“The mentality is to win. We are taking every game at a time…for us every game is a final. We are going for nothing short of a win and right now our focus is on KCB and we want to win every game at a time,” Ndonji said.
The coach was beside himself after a nail-biting duel on Saturday against Strathmore Leos at the latter’s Strathmore University Sports Complex, which the visitors edged 27-20 thanks to a last-gasp try from Chrispine Onyango.
The match itself was a see-saw affair, laced with vociferous home and away support, as both sides sought to kick off 2023 on a high note.
The students drew first blood through a Joseph Ayiro try but it was not long before their opponents levelled the scores via Eliakim Kichoi.
Leos went into the halftime break with a 17-7 lead after a penalty kick and another centre-post try.
On resumption, Kulabu reduced the deficit to 17-14 after a try by Mike Okello with the resultant penalty kick converted by Brian Kivasia.
Another penalty kick brought them level with the students once again before Leos retook the lead in a similar fashion.
However, Mwamba were in no mood to give up and soon levelled the scores in what was expected to be the last piece of action.
There was more joy for their fans as Onyango pounced on a loose ball to dive over the whitewash to ensure his side takes all the points.
The win was the most perfect response Ndonji could ask from his charges after their disappointing 24-23 upset by Catholic University Monks, just before the festive season break.
He explained the significance of the win in light of Mwamba’s unenviable fixture list this month.
“It feels great to begin the year with a win. Looking at January, we have four tough fixtures beginning with Strathmore, KCB, Kabras and then Oilers. Now we are planning to shape and change as we go to the next games,” Ndonji said.
He added: “There has been a very big change and motivation considering we have been having a few challenges with regards to training grounds. But, I believe that even with those challenges, we will be able to win the upcoming tough games.”
Ndonji further said the festive season break was a blessing to Kulabu as it allowed the team to refresh and improve on their system and physical fitness considering they began training belatedly ahead of the top tier action.
In other matches of the weekend, Quins collected their second win in two matches after thrashing Catholic Monks 45-15 at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) as University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine beat their counterparts, Masinde Muliro University 24-23.
Menengai Oilers beat Nakuru 25-18 whereas the match between defending champions Kabras Sugar and Homboyz was postponed.
