Menengai Oilers beef up squad as they eye glory in Kenya Cup

Austin Sikutwa (with the ball) of Menengai Oilers battles with Nakuru RFC Players during the Kenya Cup Match played at Nakuru ASK show ground on January, 7,2023.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

As they eye the league title for the third time, Menengai Oilers have recruited experienced players to bolster the squad that is ready for the new Kenya Cup League season that kicks-off next month.

They have signed Kenya Simbas backrow Eliakim Musonye from Kenya Harlequin to boost the playing unit that reached the play-off semifinal stage before falling to eventual champions KCB in the race for the title last season.

Musonye was in the Simbas squad that recently beat Uganda 20-13 to win the Elgon Cup at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu and is an asset to the club that is angling to win the title for the first time.

They have also brought on board Masinde Muliro University’s backrow Yadon Abdon, Daystar University’s front row Celestine Mboi and Catholic University’s fly half Erick Ogutu.

“These are capable players who in addition to what we already have in the camp have the ability to make us win the title for the first time since the club’s formation,” Oilers head coach Gibson Weru told Standard Sports.

Weru said they are in no mood to start the season on a losing note, hence the need to have a formidable squad that should wither the storm this season.

The four new signings have been training with the rest of the squad.

And to boost Weru’s ambitions, the club is happy to welcome back from injury hardworking captain Harold Anduvate who has not been in action for the past two season.

Anduvate suffered a knee injury that had lots of complications forcing him to undergo two surgeries having just healed from a shoulder injury that made the budding player miss crucial matches for his team at the time of need.

“His comeback has elated the technical bench and the playing unit. And with the inclusion of the new signings, it make us fully complete for the new season,” said Weru.

Meanwhile, Nakuru RFC have also recruited and dropped some players for the news season.

Although head coach Simon Wariuki was not ready to release their names in the absence of the Club Secretary General Eddy Moseti, he said “they are potential youngsters”.

“The club secretary is the one mandated to release such facts, not us,” he said.

Our efforts to reach Moseti proved futile as he never answered our calls nor replied our tests directed to his number.

Nakuru RFC Team Manager Hillary Kisangi also confirmed that they have recruited four forwards and two backrows but could not release their names.

Menengai Oilers new signings

Back row Eliakim Musonye of Kenya Harlequins

Back row Yadon Abdon of Masinde Muliro University (MMUST).

Front row Celestine Mboi of Daystar University.

Flyhalf Erick Ogutu of Catholic University.