Ochieng puts faith in old guards for Rio 2016 qualifiers
Kenya Sevens coach Felix “Toti” Ochieng’ (right) and captain Andrew Amonde at Ole Sereni hotel on May 19, 2015 display the London Sevens Bowl that the team won at the concluding leg of the World Rugby series last weekend. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- This follows his retention by Kenya Rugby Union as Sevens coach for another season but on condition that he delivers the team to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
- The union’s chairman Richard Omwela said they still had faith in the technical bench headed by Ochieng and they will be given a second chance considering the circumstances they faced during the season.
- Ochieng, who is deputised by South African Vuyo Zanqua, and has Graham Bentz as strength and conditioning coach, said his team did deserve a second chance after a lacklustre season by their previous high standards.
Kenya Sevens coach Felix “Totti” Ochieng has no plans of making major changes to his current squad heading to the new season as the 2016 Rio Olympics Africa qualifier beckons in November.
This follows his retention by Kenya Rugby Union as Sevens coach for another season but on condition that he delivers the team to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The union’s chairman Richard Omwela said they still had faith in the technical bench headed by Ochieng and they will be given a second chance considering the circumstances they faced during the season.
Ochieng, who is deputised by South African Vuyo Zanqua, and has Graham Bentz as strength and conditioning coach, said his team did deserve a second chance after a lacklustre season by their previous high standards.
Kenya finished 13th with 46 points at the recent World Rugby Sevens Series, their worst show in a decade.
“It was one season of mixed results. We have had our highs and lows but there are positive particulars they need to walk away with and build on,” Ochieng said. “It’s not only with Collins Injera and Billy Odhiambo, but each and every one of them.”
Injera reached a milestone, scoring his 200th World Rugby Sevens Series try while playing against Japan in the London quarter-final.
He now has 203 tries, just 27 off all time leader Santiago Gomez. Odhiambo was London Sevens’ highest try scorer, having crossed the line seven times.
Kenya wrapped up the 2014/2015 World Rugby Sevens Series with Bowl victory, 26-16 against Argentina at the London Sevens final in Sunday.
Ochieng took charge upon the resignation of South African Paul Treu after Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, the third leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in December.
“It has been challenging coming in mid-season at caretaker position,” said the soft-spoken Ochieng, who now wants to focus on rebuilding the team next season especially after some of senior players like Humphrey Kayange and Lavin Asego hinted on retirement.
“Kenya has a chance to rebuild next season and get back its groove. We started with a squad of 29 and our plan is to refine them and also get the best players throughout the country and give them opportunities to showcase their talent,” said Ochieng, a former star Kenya Sevens player.
