The kenyacup.co.ke team recently caught up with Fred Ollows, Director of Rugby at Resolution Impala Saracens who gave his insights ahead of the new Kenya Cup season.
Commenting on his side’s preparations ahead of the new season, Ollows said, “We’ve worked on a similar pre-season structure as last season. The only difference is that last year’s pre-season programme had a lot more time – 12 weeks. However, winning the Impala Floodlit tournament tells us that, by relative standards, we’re on track.”
With kickoff set for Saturday 5 November 2016, Ollows, a member of the all conquering Impala side of the early 2000s said, “The league is bound to be very competitive. Teams are looking stronger and fitter at this point of the Season, compared to last year – which, make no mistake, was already quite competitive. At this stage, the only sensible goal is to make the knockout cut. Incidentally, we’re grateful that the KRU has listened to our concerns to reduce the length of the league.”
Ollows had this to say about the playing unit, “We have two former Strathmore University forwards with us already – Anthony Orege and James Kubasu. They are Impala old boys anyway and we’re happy to have them back. It’s always a good thing to stock forwards.”
“Several players got injured, some on international duty, and are on rehab – Robert Aringo, Samuel Motari, Innocent Simiyu, Billy Omondi and Hosea Ngesa. Simiyu has gone on to become the Kenya Sevens coach. Otherwise, we expect the team to remain potent. We play an open brand but, remember this is premised on forwards doing their bit. Our setpiece continues to grow and we’re very dependent on our ESS and Nationwide feeders.”
They open their league campaign with a home fixture against Nondescripts. View the full fixtures HERE