Kenya Sevens assistant coach Louis Kisia has been appointed as the new head coach of Impala Saracens, a storied club based in Ngong Road, Nairobi. Kisia, who resigned as head coach of Strathmore Leos in March this year, has been actively involved with the national side but is now set to steer Impala back to its former glory in club rugby.
The move marks Kisia’s return to club coaching, a field he is well acquainted with. He previously led Strathmore Leos to promotion back into the Kenya Cup, the top tier of Kenyan rugby, after a challenging stint in the Championship. His new role at Impala Saracens represents a similar challenge, as the club was relegated from the Kenya Cup at the end of the 2021/2022 season and is now striving to earn promotion back to the elite league.
A New Chapter at Impala
Kisia expressed excitement about the new role, describing his appointment as a natural progression in his coaching journey. “Now it’s Impala time! Coaching life, that’s how it is; you might find yourself in familiar or unfamiliar territories,” Kisia noted. Reflecting on his journey, he added, “I first found myself in unfamiliar territory playing in the Championship with Strathmore Leos, and we managed to get back to the Kenya Cup. Impala, very familiar because I’ve coached Mwamba before; it’s a big club with a rich heritage, and it’s a challenge I’ve taken up.”
The decision to join Impala was not made lightly. Kisia was approached by his friend and rugby legend Oscar Osir, who currently serves as the secretary at Impala. Their discussions convinced Kisia that the club’s ambitions aligned with his own coaching philosophy, which emphasizes the development of young players and strategic recruitment to strengthen the squad. “Oscar was straight to the point and put it as honestly as he could. I saw it favoured me and my coaching philosophy of developing young lads and recruiting properly to boost the team. That’s why I took the offer,” Kisia explained.
Choosing Impala Over Other Offers
Kisia revealed that he had several offers to return to club coaching but chose Impala due to the project the club is undertaking to regain its status in top-flight rugby. “I had offers; for starters, I think for one of the teams, it was unfortunate I didn’t take up the role because of proximity,” Kisia said. He specifically mentioned that Nakuru RFC had approached him, but the logistics of commuting between Nakuru and Nairobi, combined with his commitments to Kenya Sevens, made it unfeasible.
The coach’s decision to join Impala is seen as a strategic move, not only for the club but also for Kisia’s career. Impala Saracens, once a dominant force in Kenyan rugby with 10 Kenya Cup titles, has struggled in recent years, culminating in their relegation to the Championship. Kisia’s task will be to replicate his success at Strathmore Leos by guiding Impala back to the Kenya Cup.
The Road Ahead for Impala Saracens
Kisia’s appointment is a clear indication of Impala’s intent to rebuild and challenge for promotion. The club has been working on a project to return to the top flight, and Kisia’s proven track record makes him a suitable fit for the task. With his experience and dedication to nurturing young talent, Impala fans are hopeful that Kisia can lead the club back to its winning ways.
Kisia’s journey with Impala will begin with immediate effect, as he takes charge of the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. His focus will be on instilling a winning mentality and refining the team’s tactical approach, ensuring that Impala is well-positioned to make a strong bid for promotion. As Kisia himself put it, “It’s about bringing back the old good name for Impala.”
With Kisia at the helm, Impala Saracens is poised for a resurgence. The rugby community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if Kisia can once again guide a team back to the pinnacle of Kenyan club rugby.
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