Menengai Oilers; the team that wont stop dreaming

Newly promoted rugby Championship side Menengai Oilers RFC will not rest on their laurels until they have worked their way up into the top flight, head coach Gibson Weru has said.

Weru is confident his charges have the ability to scale the rugby heights and become one of the country’s most revered teams over the next five years.

The team enjoyed a dazzling run in this year’s National Sevens Circuit where they finished sixth overall behind big guns Kabras Sugar RFC, Menengai Cream Homeboyz, Impala Saracens, KCB RFC and Nakuru RFC and this season earning Kenya Cup promotion is top of their priorities lists.

“We have a vision and plan to rise to greater heights and this is the first ever investment towards achieving our goal,” Weru told Citizen Digital.

Getting into the top flight would cap a stratospheric rise for a team that was inexistent before 2016 but Weru has acknowledged the possibility of running into setbacks.

“If we fail it will be an experience and a huge step towards our dream as a team. We are not bothered at all with the pressure; we will take each game at a time and give our best in this competition,” Weru added.

His men opened their championship campaign with a 30-7 away victory over University of Eldoret before making it two wins in two when they demolished Moi University 65-10.

Oilers have attracted praise within the rugby circles thanks to their sleek style of play characterized by swift passing and impeccable ball handling with the trio of Samuel Muregi, Anduvate Harold and Dan Abuonji key components in the side.

Muregi has caught the eye of the national sevens team head coach Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu who has called him up for international duty at the Cape Town Sevens in South Africa this weekend.

“It has been a great time blending with the players and winning one game after another. Our journey into the Championship has been a clear testament of hard-work, focus and – above all – God,” Weru added.

Oilers are unbeaten in 23 games they have played at the 15-a-side level and from the look of things Mean Machine is the only team giving Oilers a run for their money.

For Weru, a former Shujaa star, the job is to ensure laxity does not creep into the side as he looks to ensure the momentum gained keeps rolling.