Gibson Weru confident of Oilers' title chances as Kenya Cup gets underway

Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has outlined the team's plan ahead of the 2023/24 Kenya Cup season set to kick off on Saturday, December 2 in various venues nationwide.

The Oilers will be looking to improve from their last season's performance where they finished the regular season at position three with 37 points, a drop from the 2021/22 season where they qualified for the final stage but were defeated by Kabras RFC by a score of 34-28.

The Nakuru-based club will also look to improve their 2023 National 7s Circuit. They finished their campaign at position four, a decline from the 2022 circuit where they emerged overall winners with 113 points.

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Their performance in the 2023 Impala Floodlights also left much to be desired. The side narrowly lost 14-11 to Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in the Impala Floodlights third-place playoff that served as the curtain-raiser for the finals.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Gibu expressed satisfaction with the side's preparations throughout the preseason.

In addition, the former Kenya 7s International highlighted the dedication and hard work put in by the players and coaching staff, emphasizing that the team has undergone thorough training sessions and strategic planning to ensure readiness for the upcoming challenges.

As part of their preparations, the side has roped in the services of former Kisumu RFC coach Lawi Buyachi, a hard-hitting Kenya 15s backrower during his heydays.

They have also signed Kenya Simbas back row Eliakin Musonye from Kenya Harlequins. Musonye was in the Kenya Simbas squad that recently beat Uganda 20-13 to win the Elgon Cup in Kisumu.

Additionally, they brought on board Masinde Muliro University's backrower Yadon Abdon, Daystar University's front rower Celestine Mboi, and Catholic University's fly half Erick Ogutu.

"Preps have gone well during the pre-season," Gibu told Mozzart Sport.

The tactician indicated that his charges picked the much-needed lessons from the Impala Floodlights tournament where they finished fourth after a narrow 14-11 loss to Blak Blad in the third-place playoff.

"We played build-up matches during the floodlights which gave us good feedback on areas we needed to improve," the former Nakuru RFC coach said.

Gibu further gave a sneak peek inside the refinery; noting that they were meticulously sharpening claws in readiness for the season. He was pleased that his charges were putting their best foot forward during training sessions.

"We have been working hard in all aspects of the game to make sure we get better," he concluded.

The side will welcome Homeboyz RFC in their first match as they aim for a glorious season.