Buyachi hoping to lead Cheetahs to greater heights in Rugby Super Series

Former Kisumu RFC tactician Lawi Buyachi is optimistic that he will leave a mark with the Cheetahs when the 2024 Rugby Super Series kicks off in May.

The Super Series tournament which started in 2003 is set to resume this year after an 11-year break to catapult the 15’s game to greater heights.

Buyachi who was recently drafted into the Menengai Oilers’ technical bench will coach the Cheetahs together with former Nakuru RFC coach Simon Wariuki.

The Cheetahs will be based in Nakuru town and will comprise 2021/22 Kenya Cup finalists Menengai Oilers, Nakuru RFC, and former Kenya Cup side Homeboyz RFC. Their jersey will be red and white.

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Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the tactician noted that coaching the team was a dream come true.

He is not new to the Super Series having played for the Cheetahs in 2011 and 2012 where he propelled them to two final.

He was also part of the Ndovu squad that won the coveted title in 2013 when he was crowned the tournament’s top try scorer.

“Joining an elite setup is every coach's dream, so of course am excited & humbled, looking forward to working with a talented squad,” he offered.

The tactician who relocated to Nakuru County from Kisumu further revealed that they are aiming at winning the trophy. He was also glad that the Series would expose some of the county’s players to a high-intensity competition.

“Our main goal is to go the whole way and lift the trophy again with the one game-at-a-time approach. We also aim at exposing our squad members to the ‘national squads’ will be key for us,” he revealed.

Buyachi only has less than a fortnight to select and gel the team for the competition. Despite that, he remained confident that he would deliver.

“I am glad we get to pick the top players in their respective clubs, most come ready in terms of physical and technical abilities. Our main work will be getting the team tactically ready depending on the day's opposition, considering we have roughly two to three weeks before the competition,” he said.

He continued: “Having players from different clubs with different approaches to rugby can be challenging to have them adapt to a new environment/system in such a short time but again, we live for challenges.”

The former South Coast Pirates coach urged the fans to be on the lookout for high-intensity, interesting, and highly competitive matches from the Cheetahs.

“It is exciting to have franchise rugby back and as it has been before, super competitive, and exciting offering a great fan experience. Let's come out in large droves & enjoy champagne rugby,” he called out.

During his heydays, Buyachi played for Uganda's Pirates, Impala RFC, Nakuru RFC, and Kabras RFC.

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The World Rugby Level II accredited coach also had stints with South Coast Pirates, Kabarak RFC, Kabras RFC, and Eldoret RFC as a guest coach.

Buyachi was also a key member of the Kenya Simbas squad and scooped the 2016 Sports of the Year Award.

He left Top Fry Nakuru in 2017 to take up a coaching role at South Coast Pirates but returned to playing in 2019 when he joined Kabras RFC. He won the Charity Cup with the Sugarmen following a 29-10 over Kenya Harlequin.

Buyachi retired from playing in 2022 to be a full-time coach.