Menengai Oilers keen to rise from setbacks in Tisap 7s

Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru has revealed that the team has set its sights on improving performance ahead of the inaugural Tisap 7s penciled for the Eldoret Sports Club over the weekend.

The Nakuru-based club has had a bumpy ride since the onset of the 2023 National 7s Circuit. They kicked off on the wrong footing in Dala, finishing in sixth place with 12 points. The well-oiled Oilers then reached the finals of Driftwood 7s but lost 10-7 to Kabras RFC in a brutally physical affair at the Mombasa Sports Club.

In Prinsloo 7s, Gibu’s charges impressed, only to fall 14-10 at the hands of the determined Kenya Harlequins at the semifinal stage. They settled for fourth place after a 22-12 loss to KCB Rugby in the third-place playoff.

Their lowest performance so far came during the Christie 7s, where they were off to a poor sixth-place finish with 10 points. The Oilers were eliminated 12-5 by Strathmore Leos at the quarterfinal stage before narrowly losing to rival Quins 14-12 in the fifth-place playoff.

According to the former Kenya 7s International coach, the team’s performance in the past few legs fell short of their aspirations. Despite that, he assured that he was armed to guide the team through the rough patch of Tisap 7s.

"We are excited that we get to play again. We are yet to play to our expectations. Our performance has been underwhelming, but we have prepared well and we will give it a go," Gibu revealed.

The Oilers will not enjoy the services of some of their key players like Dennis Abukuse, John Okoth, Beldad Ogeta, and Steve Arunga, who received call-ups to the national team. While it undoubtedly posed a challenge, Gibu viewed it as an opportunity for young talents to prove themselves on a larger stage.

"We have a wide squad; their absence will give opportunities to other upcoming players," he offered.

The 2022 National 7s Circuit defending champions have been placed in Pool B together with Strathmore Leos, Catholic Monks, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). They will be looking to avenge Strathmore Leos, who defeated them in the Christie 7s quarterfinals.

For Gibu, the Oilers understood the task that lay ahead in Tisap, and he insisted on taking one game at a time.

"We aim to improve our performance and try to qualify for the quarter, then take a game at a time," he revealed.

Menengai Oilers are currently at position five on the log with 56 points, 24 points shy of log leaders Kabras Sugar. They will be keen to amass maximum points ahead of the Tisap and Kabeberi 7s tournaments.

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