South Coast Pirates head coach Kevin Amiani has heaped praise on Kenya Chipu prospect Sospeter Rofino ’18 after their 16-14 win over Impala in the KRU championship final on Saturday 6th April at the Seacrest grounds, Diani.
The team which was established in 2013 has played twice in the Championship semifinals before managing to win the 2023/24 Championship title at their home ground Diani and responding to the win, the coach has acknowledged the role played by Sospeter Rofino.
“The introduction of Sospeter Rofino in the second half was a game changer as we were losing, our lineouts were not working but he brought a different energy that established the comeback which also saw him managing our try to seal our win,” noted Amiani.
Sospeter Rofino was introduced fifteen minutes before the final whistle, coming on for Newton Okeyo and he quickly settled in the match, he went on to announce his name in the dying minutes of the game, while pirates were trailing 09-14, and he charged down a kick from Impala to land a center post try that was converted by Kelly Akengo to seal Pirates victory 16-14.
Speaking to the club portal, the soft-spoken Amiani noted that the excitement in players about their promotion to the Kenya Cup had an impact on the results.
“The game was a tough one for the players as they played with an excited mentality as they had finally earned their Kenya Cup Promotion having these emotions on the field affected the team’s coordination in play but we managed to calm the players and finally we won the match from behind,” he noted.
The youthful gaffer also noted the big role played by the community in ensuring the team’s growth since its establishment in 2013 to date.
“This win is not only a joyful moment for the team but also the community as they have been with us since the team started in 2013 when there was no rugby around Diani,” he stated.
He went on to describe the win as a much-anticipated plan that does not need to rush in planning what happens next as they take a break to plan for the 2024/25 Kenya Cup season.
“We are one team that has built up on our mistakes to reach where we are, we understand the meaning of losing as we have lost two semi-final matches in our pursuit of this promotion and now we are the Champions,” acknowledged Amiani.
“Having our goal set on winning the Championship title, we did not set any plans for the Kenya Cup league and that’s why we will be taking a break which will see us going back to the drawing board to strategize on our next move and we are sure of a strong Kenya Cup team,” he concluded.
Amiani also called upon sponsors and donors to come on board and help the team re-establish ahead of the next challenge.
“We are grateful to our current sponsors the Safari Beach Hotel, Hemingways, Base Titanium, and Glug for their continued support and also call upon other sponsors and donors to come on board and help the team accomplish its dream,” stated Amiani.
Congratulations Roffino and Kelly Akengo for making pirates win you will b rewarded for this God bless you God bless pirates God bless coach Amiani # mbelenikwema.