Kenya rugby coach Ayimba fired, replaced by Ocholla

The entire national sevens rugby team’s technical bench has been fired.

Sources in the team disclosed that the top four have already received their termination letters from the National Squads and Elite Performance committee headed by former professional star, Edward Rombo.

However, the source indicated that the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) board is yet to discuss or endorse the sacking.

But the acting general manager, Barbara Kokonya, said the Union would communicate officially before the end of the day on Monday.

Those targeted are said to be head coach Benjamin Ayimba, assistant coach Felix “Toti” Ochieng, team manager Oscar Osir and alternative team manager Newton Ong’alo.

Physical and conditioning coach

The 2009 national sevens champions Strathmore coach, Mitch Ocholla, is reported to have taken over the reins from Ayimba.

The former Impala and Kenya team winger/centre will be assisted by Charles Cardovillis. Cardovillis is a former Nondescript and Kenya team utility back.

Mwamba Rugby Football Club team manager, John Mbae, will serve under the same capacity at the national sevens team.

The fate of team’s physical and conditioning coach, Geoffrey Kimani, was not known but sources disclosed that he has retained his portfolio.

Took a slump

Rombo who could not confirm or deny the development said it was upon the Union to announce if changes have been effected in the team.

The changes were expected after the national sevens team performance in the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series took a slump in the last two seasons.

Ocholla and Cardovilis, could not deny or confirm their new status but said they are yet to receive official appointment letters from the Union.

Inject fresh thinking

“I just can’t say anything at the moment,” said Ocholla, who is Kenya Sevens second side, Shujaa coach.

“It has been decided that the entire technical bench is to be replaced by a new team,” said a letter to one of the technical bench officials.

“This has been necessitated by the need to inject fresh thinking and outlook into the team.”

The letter explained that the team’s performance over the past two seasons had raised concern and that its fortunes were not bound to change if the current set remained in office.

The committee thanked the four for their efforts to make the team the pride of Kenya and wished them the best in any future endeavours.

Ocholla, who is also the coach of National Under-19 team preparing for Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Cup in Zimbabwe later this month, spurred Strathmore to win Eric Shirley Shield and earn a promotion to Kenya Cup in 2008.

He joined Strathmore in 2005 and also led them to the 2009 National Sevens, 2011 Impala Floodlit and Great Rift 10-a-side tournaments victory.

Ocholla, who is currently undertaking an IRB Level III course, replaces 35-year-old Ayimba, who took over the national sevens reigns in 2006 to guide the team to the historic 2009 Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Dubai.

Undoubtedly, it is during Ayimba’s tenure that Kenya’s status in the world of sevens rose to secure a permanent spot in the IRB World Sevens Series.

The only other Kenyan team to have ever reached a world cup semi-final is cricket in 2003.

2009 marked Sevens team’s best season ever after reaching its first ever main Cup final in the IRB World Sevens Series in Adelaide, losing to arch-rivals South Africa 7-26.

They also reached Cup semis at Wellington and Hong Kong Sevens and at one time were ranked fifth in the world.

It is the year that they beat South Africa and New Zealand for the first time ever, having also brought down giants England, Tonga and Samoa the previous years.

Collins Injera was crowned the 2009 highest top try scorer, having crossed the line 42 times.

Ayimba also handled the team to Safari Sevens’ back-to-back victories in 2008 to 2010, beating Emerging Springboks in both finals.