Coach Olago keen to keep triumphant KCB squad

Newly crowned Kenya Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) head coach Curtis Olago hopes he will keep his winning team for next season, noting the club has struggled to keep its finest despite winning trophies in the past.

KCB claimed the fifth Kenya Cup trophy by thrashing defending champions Kabras Sugar 36-8 in a thrilling encounter played at the KCB Sports club in Ruaraka on Saturday.

Olago warned loss of key players like in the case of 2014-2015 season will only wreck the team’s quest to defend their title next season.

“I remember after winning that year (2015), many things followed. A lot of our players were bought by other teams, so it meant we had to start from scratch.

“Although we have eventually reaped the fruits of all the work we put in, it was a new process all together that saw us watch Kabras snatch the trophy from us,” he noted.

The latest KCB triumph marked their fifth crown, adding to the previous trophies won in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2015.

However, Olago expects to make several changes to his squad in the coming months with some of his team members set to link up with the national team.

The KCB tactician feels the long absence of the players from his camp will affect his training program, but is confident of the options available.

“We have a very big squad approximately over 120 players. At the end of the day sport is about competition therefore with the training sessions that I am going to hold I can easily determine the players who will match our standards.

“It’s difficult for us to focus for the next season because of activities. There’s the Enterprise Cup and the sevens Circuit meaning we have to also take care of such,” observed the tactician.

He reflected on the journey to the victory, stating he had most of his players available throughout the season compared to the previous season when injuries rocked his team.

“It was not easy to rehabilitate and get back to the groove the few who were out injured at some stages. The best thing we were not hit with many injuries at a time this season so we easily managed the situation.”

Olago underscored their main target next season is to launch a successive title defense, saying the management is clear on the mission.

“Of course we are getting started with training immediately.Everyone’s desire is to see the trophy remain at home.

“The sport has grown and competition is becoming tougher so there is no time to rest,” he concluded.

Reported by Mwangi Githinji