Gibson Weru disappointed with South Coast Pirates relegation from Kenya Cup
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 11.03.25. | 12:39
Pirates managed three wins in their maiden season in the Kenya Cup, which proved not enough to guarantee them stay at the table of men
Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has expressed his disappointment over South Coast Pirates' relegation from the Kenya Cup.
Pirates, who made history as the first rugby team from Kwale County to play in the top tier, were relegated to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship after just one season.
They only managed three wins, out of their 11 matches, which proved not enough to guarantee them their second season at the table of men.
Weru, who guided his side to a 35-0 win over Pirates last weekend, was pleased with the fight the coastal side put in, especially in the second half.
Weru said, that even though Oilers bagged a crucial win and five points from the game, it did not come easy, as the Pirates were a hard nut crack.
"The score does not speak about the match. They made it very hard for us, as we had to dig deep, especially in the second half," Weru said.
Oilers only managed a try in the closing minutes of the match, an indication of the Pirates’ resilience especially in their backyard.
Weru believes they deserved better in the season, even as he tipped them to bounce back.
"I am excited by our performance, but at the same time, I am disappointed by Pirates' relegation. They have put on a good fight, and they deserve more than that this season. I know they can regroup and get better," he added.
The win guaranteed Menengai a home playoff after finishing third on the log with 47 points.
They will face Blak Blad, who settled for sixth place with 26 points.
This fixture will be a repeat of last season's playoffs where the Oilers emerged victorious.
The winner of the match will proceed to the semifinals to take on former Kenya Cup champions, KCB Rugby.
Weru emphasized the importance of analyzing their performance over the past few weeks, as they prepare for the knockout stages.
"We will have to sit down and look at how we've played and what has worked for the past three weeks, which have been an intense marathon in terms of fixtures and results," he said.
With a home quarterfinal now secured, the Oilers will shift their focus to fine-tuning their tactics as they chase Kenya Cup glory.
Meanwhile, Pirates will have to regroup and fight for a return to the top tier in the coming season.
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