Quins seek to rediscover lost Kenya Cup form

Patrice Agunda of Kenya Harlequins dashes for the try box after breaking Mwamba's defense line during the Kenya Cup match at RFUEA grounds on Nov 18, 2018. [Jonah Onyango]

Kenya Harlequin coach Dominique Habimana is optimistic the team will rediscover their winning formula despite a poor start to the 2019-20 Kenya Cup season.

Quins, eight-time winners of the Kenya Cup, are languishing at the bottom of the 12-team standings having lost their first four matches.

The Ngong Road-based side is the only team yet to register a win in the top flight but Habimana believes they will turn around their fortunes and contend for a top-six finish which will guarantee them a playoffs slot.

“It’s a great concern for us that we are not winning and anytime you are not doing well, you always strive to get better. The most important thing is that the boys are showing improvement and they will come good,” said Habimana, a former Kenya 15s assistant coach.

“They are really skilled players but our game management in the second half is what has been letting us down.”

The team has picked a paltry two points from a possible 20 and they are nine points adrift the top six.

Habimana’s charges blew a 19-0 half-time lead to lose 21-19 to returnees Western Bulls two weeks ago before their defensive weakness came to the fore yet again last weekend as they squandered a 18-3 advantage in their 25-18 loss to fellow strugglers Nakuru RFC.

Prior to that, they had lost 26-13 to Homeboyz in their opener and suffered a 32-20 defeat at the hands of reigning champions KCB.

“The same things that cost us the Bulls game were replicated last weekend against Nakuru and after doing our analysis we want to address those problems particularly in defense,” Habimana said.

Quins’ next assignment will see them host sixth-placed Menengai Oilers at the RFUEA ground this weekend and Habimana has called upon his men to step up against a team that has the potential of compounding their woes.

“We expect a physical game from them (Oilers) and we need to take our chances if we are to get a good result from the match,” he said.

After hosting Oilers, Quins welcome Mwamba before travelling to neighbours Impala Saracens on match day seven.

 

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