Mbeche upbeat of MMUST promotion to Kenya Cup

MMUST captain Samuel Mbeche. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

When Samuel Mbeche guided Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) to just a match away from the top flight league, rugby enthusiasts were dazed.

Reason? His striking physique and muscularity stands out on the pitch, especially in high octane matches.

With him in either of the flanks, MMUST fans remain confident of victory. He brims with menace, speed, endurance and unmatched athletic power.

And his superb skills stand out in the game “played by hooligans and watched by gentlemen.”

“Rugby is my life. To make history with the MMUST rugby team will be a privilege and I cannot wait to lead the team to Kenya Cup,” said Mbeche.

The 22-year-old MMUST RFC captain has guided the Kakamega based outfit from its lowest ebb to just one match away from the top tier league.

He is confident of helping MMUST earn promotion to the 2020-2021 Kenya Cup despite the coronavirus crisis.

“We have been through a lot as MMUST family and what we have achieved in the past three years is a sign that greater promise lies ahead.”

“And after a remarkable season in the championship where we lost only one match, I am confident that we will be at the Kenya Cup next season when normalcy returns,” said Mbeche, the fourth year student studying Optometry and Vision Sciences.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) cancelled all leagues in the country on April 9 but rescinded their decision on April 28 following intense protests from clubs.

MMUST and former Kenya Cup outfit Strathmore Leos had booked a semifinal playoff berth after finishing second and first respectively.

MMUST will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Mean Machine and Egerton Wasps as Leos await the winner between United States International University (USIU Martials) and Northern Suburbs.

Mbeche started playing rugby in 2012 while in Form Two at Nairobi School after unsuccessful trials with cricket, swimming, football, hockey and basketball.

“I tried cricket but I lost interest in it. Moved to swimming but I honestly was embarrassed during the trials and then got to volleyball and the captain advised me to do something heavier. In hockey, I quit after watching someone lose four teeth,” said the utility back who can play as a winger, centre and fullback.

In 2013, he almost quit rugby after being hit hard on the chest and rendered unconscious during their high school contest against Lenana School but he did not lose hope. He went on to grace the national secondary school games in 2014 where they remained at the group stage.

After high school, he joined MMUST after unsuccessful trials with Mean Machine in 2015, going straight to the main team which then had been played in the nationwide league for more than 10 years.

He was appointed captain in 2017, which emerged as a wakeup call for him as he improved the team’s performance.

Mbeche prides in having led the team to unbeaten run in nationwide league and earning their maiden promotion to championship league in 2018.

Last year, they lost to Kisumu RFC at the semifinals playoffs, a feat he is keen to surpass and make the Kenya Cup.

Away from rugby, he ventured into body building thanks to help from Professional Bodybuilder William Bonac.