South Coast Pirates issue stern statement after parting ways with coach

South Coast Pirates have confirmed the departure of their long-serving head coach, Kevin Amiani.

This comes in the wake of the team’s relegation from the Kenya Cup.

In an official statement, the club announced that Amiani will no longer represent or act on behalf of the Pirates in any capacity.

“Coach Amiani is not authorized to transact or represent South Coast Pirates RFC in any official matters going forward. We thank him for his service to the club and wish him well in his future endeavors. We thank him for his service to the club and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the statement read.

Amiani’s exit marks the end of a significant era for the Kwale-based side.

Under his leadership, the Pirates achieved a historic milestone by earning promotion to the Kenya Cup after winning the 2023/24 Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship title.

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The promotion was a first for the club and a major breakthrough for rugby in Kwale County, making them the region’s first team to feature in Kenya’s top-tier rugby league.

However, their maiden season in the Kenya Cup proved challenging. The Pirates secured only three wins out of 11 matches, struggling to compete with more established sides. Their relegation back to the KRU Championship brought a sobering close to what was a hopeful chapter in the club’s history.

Amiani’s contribution to the team’s growth, both on and off the pitch, has been widely acknowledged.

He was instrumental in building a competitive squad that defied the odds to climb into the top flight, drawing national attention to the untapped rugby talent in the Coast region.

With his departure, the Pirates now face the immediate task of finding a new head coach who can guide the club through a period of rebuilding.

The next appointment will be key as the team looks to bounce back quickly and reignite their ambition of returning to the Kenya Cup.