Outgoing Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba rules out playing second fiddle in KRU job

Outgoing Kenya Sevens head coach Benjamin Ayimba has vowed not to take up an assistant coach role with the team, if a foreign tactician is named as his successor.

Ayimba, whose post was advertised by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) a few weeks ago ahead of today’s expiry of his one-year contract, is among the top four potential candidates for the demanding job.

The former Kenyan international faces stiff competition from legendary former New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens, Englishman Ben Ryans, who led Fiji to Olympic gold in Rio, and former Australia coach/player Michael O’Connor.

Ayimba made history on his re-appointment; being the first coach to lead the national Sevens team to a Cup triumph in the World Rugby Sevens Series in Singapore.

However, his second tenure ended on a relatively bad note after a disappointing outing in Rio Olympics Games, where Kenya finished 11th. Ayimba, however, guided the team to reclaim the Safari Sevens title at Kasarani Stadium last weekend.

“I will not be an assistant to a foreign coach. I will just sit back and watch like any other Kenyan. We have gone through so much with this team, but now that they have received money, they can go for whoever they want,” Ayimba told Feverpitch.

The outspoken Ayimba was quick to challenge the Union to first solve the players’ contractual issues before appointing the new coach.

“It is better for KRU to solve the contractual issues with the players before appointing a new coach, because if they do not do that, they will be digging their own grave. They need to address players’ welfare at this point.”

“Without solving the players’ issues, there is nowhere the team will go, even if they hire a celebrated coach,” he said.

Meanwhile, KRU chairman Richard Omwela said they have the capacity to take care of the new coach and his technical bench, as well as offer them a long-term contract.

“We have partners and they are able to support us with whatever technical assistance we may need. Money is no longer an issue. I think the matter is that we have a bright future. Sportpesa promised to support us if we get a coach,” said Omwela.

“Ideally, one year is too short for a coach; we should have at least a three-year contract. Within a year, he would have barely settled to enable him post good results. It is unfair to subject a coach to a one-year contract.”

Elsewhere, Impala Floodlights champions KCB have been drawn against National Sevens Series champions Homeboyz in the quarterfinal round of this year’s competition to kick-off tomorrow at the Impala Club.

The two champions will face off at 7pm, just after a 5:20pm encounter between last year’s losing finalist Impala and Strathmore.

Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad will take on Nakuru in the opening quarterfinal at 2pm, before paving way for Mwamba versus Kenya Harlequin encounter at 3:40pm.