Kenya Simbas coach addresses 'most concerning issue' ahead of Uganda return clash
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 14.11.24. | 15:48
Kenya defeated Uganda Cranes 27-25 in the opening leg of the Elgon Cup played on Saturday 9 November at the RFUEA Grounds
The Kenya men's national rugby 15s team head coach Jerome Paarwater is zeroing in on discipline as a key focus area ahead of the teams’ upcoming rematch against Uganda.
Kenya defeated Uganda Cranes 27-25 in the opening leg of the Elgon Cup played on Saturday 9 November at the RFUEA Grounds.
Despite the narrow win, the Simbas’ discipline was an area of concern, as they were frequently penalized. Luck was however on their side as the Ugandans failed to drill in the penalties.
Speaking after the match, Paarwater noted that discipline issues needed to be urgently addressed to avoid similar pitfalls come Saturday.
The tactician insisted on the need to minimize penalties and solidify their defensive structure, particularly against Uganda’s mauls and scrums.
Maintaining composure under pressure and refining set-piece execution according to the coach will also be crucial. They will need to show greater discipline and capitalize on scoring opportunities to fend off Uganda and reclaim the Elgon Cup on away soil.
“The most concerning issue was our discipline around the tackle area. The referee caught us a couple of times, and that’s something we must address,” Paarwater said.
The South African gaffer went on to laud the boys for their zeal and resilience despite a short preparation period. The provisional squad was named on Thursday 24 October and they had less than two weeks to prepare for the match.
"We knew it was going to be tough because we only had a short time to prepare. In terms of what we wanted out of the game, we can only be better going forward,” Paarwater averred.
The coach pointed out that although some penalties were “a bit 50-50,” especially in the set pieces, the game provided valuable insights into areas needing improvement.
"This game gave us a platform to identify areas to work on. Next week, we have to be sharper," he added.
Paarwater went on to emphasize the need for the team to review match footage to understand their errors and refine their approach before facing Uganda again.
The two sides will meet again on Saturday 16 November for the Victoria Cup at King’s Park Arena in Kampala, Uganda.
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