Gibson Weru aims higher with Oilers as new year kicks off

Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru will be looking to achieve greater heights with the team after their strong start to the 2023/24 Kenya Cup season.

The Nakuru-based team kicked off their season on a high following a 43-13 victory over Homeboyz RFC. They then dominated Mwamba RFC with a 67-0 win before humbling Strathmore Leos 27-10 in their final match before the festive break.

Reflecting on their three wins, Gibu pointed out that their performance has been exemplary, and they will be keen to build on that as the new year kicks off.

“So far, so good. It's a positive start to the season, and the boys have played well. We have taken our chances and defended well," the tactician offered.

Gibu, who is also a former Kenya 7s International, further noted that their triumph was merely a stepping stone to greater heights. To conquer other teams this year, the tactician noted that the team was meticulously improving on different aspects of play, which he believes are still letting them down.

"But there is room for improvement in certain aspects of our play, which I believe you will see in the new year,” he revealed.

With the calendar turned to 2024, the Oilers will resume training in readiness for the match against arch-rivals Nakuru RFC on Saturday, January 13.

According to the gaffer, the match would put their skills to the test. Despite that, he assured that his charges were well-braced for the challenge. Nakuru RFC is also a formidable side. Their last Kenya Cup meeting narrowly ended 25-18 in favor of the Oilers, and they will be looking to enlarge the margin.

“I'm not going to get carried away. There is a long way to go and so many teams to play," he averred.

The Oilers will then host Kenyatta University's Blak Blad on Saturday, January 20 in what will be a revenge mission. The determined students handed the Oilers their first defeat of the 2022/23 Kenya Cup season after narrowly overpowering them 17-16. The loss also put a halt to the Oilers' winning streak. They will close out the month with a match against top-tier newbies Kisumu RFC.

Oilers' run in 2023:

Menengai Oilers 43-13 Homeboyz RFC

Menengai Oilers 67-0 Mwamba RFC

Menengai Oilers 27-10 Strathmore Leos

Mwangi angling for more goals in league's second phase