Menengai Oilers’ head coach Gibson Weru is optimistic about the team’s chances in the upcoming National Sevens Series, bolstered by the signing of four promising players. The Oilers, who clinched the 2022 National Sevens title, have added Samuel Mwaura from Nakuru, Keegan Clarkson from Nanyuki, Eric Ogutu from Catholic University, and speedster Glaes Ouma from Maseno University to their roster.
Weru believes these new additions will address the shortcomings of last season, which saw the team finish fourth with 88 points. “Our performance last season was due to a lack of game-breakers. If you look at KCB, they had Samuel Asati and Brian Wahinya, and Kabras had Brian Tanga. This makes a big difference in the Sevens game,” Weru explained. “It means they can create plays and adjust the tempo of matches. That for me was the main undoing for us last season and for this campaign, it has been sorted.”
The Nakuru-based side had a mixed performance last year, highlighted by reaching the Driftwood Sevens final but ultimately falling to Kabras Sugar 12-5. This season, Weru is confident that the new signings will provide the necessary spark to reclaim their title.
Preparation for the Sevens Series has been rigorous, with the team starting training in May. Weru expressed satisfaction with the team’s physical and mental readiness for the six-leg tournament, set to kick off with the Christie Sevens on July 27-28. “Our training regime has been solid. We have looked at all facets of play because I know it’s going to be a tough series. However, we are well prepared for it,” he stated.
Weru’s optimism is also fueled by the team’s performance in a recent tournament at Impala Club, where they competed alongside Impala, Quins, Nondies, and the National Youth Service (NYS). “We fielded two sides for the tournament, and I am impressed with the depth of players we have in our squad. We played well and our combinations looked solid,” Weru noted.
Despite the absence of key players John Okoth, who is with Shujaa at the Olympics, and Abdulwalib Wesonga, Elkeans Musonye, and Samson Onsomu, who are with the Simbas at the Africa Cup in Uganda, Weru remains confident. He expects a highly competitive event, citing Kabras and KCB as the teams to beat, alongside Quins and Strathmore. “In terms of depth, KCB and Kabras have big squads. They can rotate and still be competitive. Quins were looking solid when we played them last week at the Impala Club,” Weru said.
With the new signings and solid preparations, Menengai Oilers are poised to make a strong bid for the National Sevens Series title, aiming to build on their past success and overcome the challenges of the previous season. The team’s journey begins at the Christie Sevens, where they hope to set the tone for a triumphant campaign.
