Following their historic 30-15 victory against Daystar Falcons RFC on Saturday 23rd March at the Seacrest grounds, Diani, which secured their promotion to the Kenya Cup for the first time in the club’s history, South Coast Pirates forward coach, Brian Nyikuli, expressed his pride in the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the forward pack’s contribution to their success.
In an interview with the club media, Nyikuli emphasized the importance of meticulous preparation, noting that the team had identified areas of improvement from previous encounters with Daystar Falcons, particularly in the forward play, which he oversees. He credited the players for executing the game plan effectively, attributing their victory to weeks of diligent analysis and practice.
“It was an emotional victory for us,” Nyikuli remarked, “I’m happy for the boys. At least we did our homework very well.”
Reflecting on the club’s journey to this momentous achievement, Nyikuli acknowledged the challenges they faced during the three-year wait for promotion. He stressed the emotional significance of the victory for the entire team and highlighted the need for strategic planning moving forward.
“Three years in waiting is not a joke,” Nyikuli remarked, underscoring the gravity of their accomplishment. He emphasized the importance of post-celebration discussions among the coaching staff and committee members to chart out a comprehensive plan for the upcoming Kenya Cup campaign. Looking ahead to the challenges of competing in the Kenya Cup, Nyikuli emphasized the importance of physical conditioning and tactical preparation stressing on the need for the players to undergo rigorous gym sessions and conditioning programs to ensure they are adequately prepared for the demands of elite-level rugby.
“In terms of Kenya Cup physique, the boys need to hit the proper gym,” Nyikuli offered. “Strength and conditioning need to be proper so that at least we can go there and put up a fight.” He reiterated the team’s commitment to not only participating but also competing competitively in the Kenya Cup, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive plan that addresses all aspects of their performance.
Pirates will now welcome another Kenya Cup newbie Impala RFC in the finals slated for 6th April, Impala, who return to the top flight after two years of absence, Impala secured their slot after a dramatic 12-11 win against hosts MMUST RFC in Kakamega.
