How Impala aim to overcome abysmal start to reach Kenya Cup playoffs

Impala RFC head coach George Ndemi has remained adamant that the Gazelles can still salvage their 2025/26 Kenya Cup campaign despite enduring one of the toughest starts in recent league history.

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The Ngong Road-based side has been on the receiving end of three brutal results, conceding a staggering 307 points in as many matches.

Their season opened with an 87–5 loss to KCB Rugby, followed by a 97–6 defeat to Menengai Oilers. Things only got worse during their trip to Kakamega on Saturday, 6 December, where defending champions Kabras RFC delivered a 123-0 blow at the ASK Showground.

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Despite their winless run and heavy scorelines, Ndemi believes the most difficult stretch of their calendar is behind them, having opened their season against the three strongest teams in the country.

“Honestly, for the playoffs, we just need to win five games, and we’re on the right track. We started against the top three teams, and we’re comfortable with that because once we get through them, the rest will know exactly who Impala RFC are,” he told Mozzart Sport.

With nine matches remaining, the coach insists that a turnaround is still possible if the team capitalises on upcoming fixtures against mid-table and lower-ranked sides.

Impala’s rough start has been compounded by internal instability. At the beginning of the season, the club parted ways with head coach Louis Kisia after the expiry of his one-year contract.

Weeks later, assistant coach Jackson ‘Kalonje’ Katunga also departed, leaving the technical bench void during a critical preparation window.

Ndemi, who was recalled shortly after, admitted that the transition played a part in their early struggles but is confident the group has the talent to bounce back.

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“Transition takes time, and our main focus is to remain in the Kenya Cup. Their departure was a committee decision, and when they called me back, I was not coaching at the time. But after returning, I’ve seen that this is a good team with a lot of potential,” he explained.

For Ndemi, one bad month does not define a season, and he pointed to rugby history to make his case.

“The last time Impala lost 95–0 to Quins, Quins went on to win the Kenya Cup. So, results like that don’t define a season,” he said.

Up next, Impala will face defending champions Kabras RFC in the Enterprise Cup Round of 16 fixture slated for Saturday, 13 December.