I still love you- Former Kenyan Sevens coach Mike 'Otoyo' Friday

After being forced out of Kenya Rugby Sevens, Brit Coach Mike Friday landed lucrative job as head coach of the US national rugby sevens team. However, his never ending attachment to Kenyan players has been causing ripples for the man fans have fondly nicknamed 'Otoyo'

What is Mike Friday doing in Kenya instead of focusing on USA Sevens?

I am Kenyan you know...(laughs) and an ardent supporter of Kenyan rugby except when they are playing against USA because Kenyans allowed me to come into their world; live and dine with them. I am enjoying being back in Kenya mixing with the 40 plus Kenyans who are a great people in fact, when I touched down it felt so great to see lots of familiar faces.

I wanted badly to catch up with some of the players who I have not seen for over two years.

I couldn't ask for a better reception, I owe a lot to the wonderful men and women of this country.

How is it that you still love Kenya that much and why have you stayed attached to Kenya Sevens players even after getting another job, don't you think it is time to move on? Of course there have to be some long lasting attachment because we hunted together, played and lived the ups and downs together. What we were was hopefully a squad and a side that represented the 40 million plus people in the way that they wanted to be represented not only in terms of results but also from the way we went about our work.

The attitude, the endeavour, commitment to the Shujaa and to the Kenyan people made it such a pleasurable experience for me.

Your team just beat the Kenya Sevens team but the some fans have still singing your praises...

I keep hearing them calling me ‘Otoyo’, I have never known why they call me that! Kenya has got wonderful players here and the boys I got on my team are so fantastic that they could make it to the start list of any team. The Shujaa are a fantastic lot with great upcoming talents.

If only they could be nurtured, given direction... I think they have got all that is needed to qualify for Olympics and get them back to where they were.

Is there a chance of maybe coming back to coach Kenya?

No, right now I am under contract and I am working well creating a legacy with USA Rugby Sevens. I inherited a team that was 13th in the world. They were relegation material. But we have come a long way in just 12 months to being one of the top four teams in the world and likely title contenders.

We won our first ever title championships and qualified for the Olympics. That is my priority for now. I have got lots of affection for Kenya. But again who knows what’s round the corner? Maybe someday I may return, but for now my primary focus is working and delivering for USA rugby.

What next when you are done with USA?

Maybe I could be too old or there might be a new man on the block, I do not know. I think Kenya has got the opportunity but I do not know what is going to happen to my beloved Kenya with all that’s going on with the head coaches.

But I got one of the best coaches with me. Nick Wakley is a man who has worked with me for the last two years in various capacities. He came out here and won this tournament last year and his coaching credentials are fantastic and he is a real potential opportunity for Kenya to look at because he’s got the required CV and he would certainly grow with the team.

Do you think Kenya will ever bounce back?

It is very simple. When you work with boys who are in their 20s, 30s or 40s, we are all the same. As long as you feel protected and supported and there is consistency in how you are treated, the team will come together and deliver.

The key thing is that KRU needs to give their players commitment beyond contractual obligations that can be ripped up any moment. No, long term commitment is what is needed so that players are not worried about putting food on the table for their families.

They also need a father figure, then they will work for you and win big for you because they will only concentrate on playing rugby.