Lost but we fought hard. Great game comrades. Proud of you.
Kenya Cup here we come.
Go Machine Go.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Mean Machine take on Impala in crunch match at Impala Floodlight
Mean Machine take on Impala in a semi-final match on Saturday 30
January 2009. The 8 times champions take on the hosts in what promises
to be a tough battle under the lights. With a purse of kshs 200,000 at
stake for the overall tournament winner the game promises to be with
frills and thrills and the comrades are ready for the reds.
January 2009. The 8 times champions take on the hosts in what promises
to be a tough battle under the lights. With a purse of kshs 200,000 at
stake for the overall tournament winner the game promises to be with
frills and thrills and the comrades are ready for the reds.
Still uncertain is whether inspirational player Kenya Rugby
international Wilson 'Kopo' K'Opondo will play as it is not clearly
known why he did not feature last week though Machine hardly missed a
step without him. Captain Ian Were will marshall the lads supported by
Felix Wanjala, Kevin Gachoka, Fidel Kemmey, Davis Makori and David
Ahawo who all are 'eschuma' enough to take on Impala who will be
missing Ian 'Namcos' Simiyu. Other brother Victor Sudi who has
abandoned Kenya Harlequins will play for Impala.
My working mama and I will be there supporting our favourite Mean
Machine before going to rarua her first salo. Go Machine Go.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Shujaa Out of Darwin 7s
The Borneo Eagles won the semi final match 19 14 and put paid to the lads chances of a huge pay day. They now continue preparations for the Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens.
Shujaa in Semis of Hottest Sevens
Shujaa have stormed into the semis of the Heineken Hottest Sevens with convincing victories over Sunnybank 29 0 and Davetelevu 26 21. They will now meet the Borneo Eagles.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Mixed Start for Shujaa in Darwin
Kenya 7's side Shujaa have had a mixed start in the high prize money Heineken Hottest 7's in Darwin, Australia. They beat Country King Browns 24 19 and lost to Randwick 10 17. They next play NT Mosquitoes.
The winners for this event pocket a whopping Ksh. 1.7M with runners up also getting a cool Ksh. 825,000. Day two is the day of reckoning.
UPDATE: Shujaa win last game 22-7.
The winners for this event pocket a whopping Ksh. 1.7M with runners up also getting a cool Ksh. 825,000. Day two is the day of reckoning.
UPDATE: Shujaa win last game 22-7.
Mean Machine kick off Impala Floodlights
Eight time champions and crowd pullers Mean Machine who are arguably
the most successful side in the Impala Floodlight competition begin
their this year campaign against Impala Boks. This is the beginning of
the Kenya Rugby season.
the most successful side in the Impala Floodlight competition begin
their this year campaign against Impala Boks. This is the beginning of
the Kenya Rugby season.
The Machine side looking to have a better year than last years lean
season have in their ranks exciting players such as Kevin Gachoka, Ian
Were, Fidel Kemmey, Anthony Ngera, Davis Makori, David Ahawo,
mercurial Felix Wanjala and of course hard-tackling Wilson 'Kopo'
K'Opondo. These are the men charged with the responsibility of
bringing better times to Machine. Go Machine Go and step hard on the
Impala Boks.
Go Mean Machine Go. See you at Impala as my mama and I will be there
in full force cheering the comrades. Mwenda's was deadly last night.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Kenya Rugby 7's : Down under start for IRB 7's Wellington and Las Vegas
Contracted Coach Ayimba has settled on a strong squad for the next
phase of the IRB 7's in Wellington and Las Vegas. This round however
the team will start off in Australia where they play in a moneyed
tournament in Darwin : Hottest 7's in the World.
phase of the IRB 7's in Wellington and Las Vegas. This round however
the team will start off in Australia where they play in a moneyed
tournament in Darwin : Hottest 7's in the World.
An analaysis of the squad is as follows (did not do one last time as
was engrossed in my mama's graduation and did not watch properly):
Tried and tested and worth the money:
Kayange, Weru, Asego, Simiyu, Ashioya, Oduor and Injera.
Simiyu is now part of this group having upped his game ever since the
World Cup.
Improving but dependable:
Nyikuki, Horace and Adema
Nyikuki is steadily regaining the form he had when he first appeared.
Now he needs to be a match winner like Oduor.
Horace is reliable but should aim higher.
Question Marks?
Nyambu and Amonde
Nyambu despite being a starter at times needs to really improve his
game. He is the teams most expensive player in terms of turnovers and
penalties conceeded. Can Ayimba continue to tolerate this?
Amonde must learn to catch a ball: Simple.
Reserves
Mwanja, Agunda, Adongo, Onyango
Good luck in breaking into the team.
Dropped
K'Opondo and Kanyi
Why drop Kopo? He needs another chance. Machine will gain with him at floodies.
Still we wish the Kenya 7's success and come back with okombe this
time. My mama and I will be rooting for you guys kawaida.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Shujaa Seeded Second in Darwin
Kenya's Shujaa have been seeded second in the Heineken Hottest Sevens this weekend. Playing as Wakimbizi Sevens, though a fully fledged Kenya 7's side, top seeds are Fiji's South Sea Drifters and third Australia's Aussie Spirit. The prize money for this event is a whopping US$ 65,000 split amongst various categories. Seedings aside, the Australians obviously intend to win this tournament of home soil and not let potential spoilers (South Sea Islanders) interfere with their party.
This being a build up to the Wellington leg of the IRB circuit two weeks later, it is a perfect opportunity for coach Benjamin Ayimba to put his systems in place. With two weeks in between the events and with the players in "isolation" so to speak, it is also the perfect training camp for the team, giving them a fully "professional" setup with no interruptions of school, work, etc. to interfere with their training regime.
Despite this however, it is also a long time away from home, family and friends and other factors will come to play in this. With the boys perhaps not used to such a training regime, there is the risk of fatigue setting in. And lastly, for the employed and the school going persons, four weeks away from home could play a role in their availability for the future legs of the IRB Sevens. We wish the boys well in their outings.
This being a build up to the Wellington leg of the IRB circuit two weeks later, it is a perfect opportunity for coach Benjamin Ayimba to put his systems in place. With two weeks in between the events and with the players in "isolation" so to speak, it is also the perfect training camp for the team, giving them a fully "professional" setup with no interruptions of school, work, etc. to interfere with their training regime.
Despite this however, it is also a long time away from home, family and friends and other factors will come to play in this. With the boys perhaps not used to such a training regime, there is the risk of fatigue setting in. And lastly, for the employed and the school going persons, four weeks away from home could play a role in their availability for the future legs of the IRB Sevens. We wish the boys well in their outings.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Kenya Rugby 7's: K'Opondo axed from squad.
Mean Machine's Wilson K'Opondo aka Kopo has been axed from the Kenya
7's team. Why we ask yet he has not been given a full opportunity
despite being committed to the team.
7's team. Why we ask yet he has not been given a full opportunity
despite being committed to the team.
The spirit of Mean Machine leaves and he will bounce back. Go machine
go. Go Kopo go.
Congrats to the coach Benjamin Ayimba for landing a contract for 3
years though the money is peanuts compared to Ollows and Gecheo.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Shujaa Named for Next Two Legs of IRB
The Kenya 7's team for the next two legs of the IRB Sevens Circuit in Wellington and Las Vegas have been named. With the current stability in the side, there have been no major changes save for the return of Biko Adema to the side. The side is as follows.
1. Humphrey Kayange - Captain
2. Gibson Weru – Vice Captain
3. Lavin Asego
4. Innocent Simiyu
5. Sidney Ashioya
6. Brian Nyikuli
7. Victor Oduor
8. Collins Injera
9. Horace Otieno
10. Biko Adema
11. Andrew Amonde
12. Benedict Nyambu
13. Benjamin Ayimba
14. George Odhiambo
15. Oscar Osir
16. Felix Ochieng
Non Travelling Reserves
1. Leon Adongo
2. Patrice Agunda
3. Dennis Mwanja
4. Allan Onyango
1. Humphrey Kayange - Captain
2. Gibson Weru – Vice Captain
3. Lavin Asego
4. Innocent Simiyu
5. Sidney Ashioya
6. Brian Nyikuli
7. Victor Oduor
8. Collins Injera
9. Horace Otieno
10. Biko Adema
11. Andrew Amonde
12. Benedict Nyambu
13. Benjamin Ayimba
14. George Odhiambo
15. Oscar Osir
16. Felix Ochieng
Non Travelling Reserves
1. Leon Adongo
2. Patrice Agunda
3. Dennis Mwanja
4. Allan Onyango
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Kenya Rugby 2010 Resolutions
Best wishes to all and the rugby action kicks off immediately. As
usual the KRFU secretariat a.k.a IRB-Impala Rugby Business have
successfully come up with a remodelled set of fixtures that is skewed
in favour of certain interests. Thrown out of the window is the
prestigious Enterprise Cup and firmly entrenched is the Impala
Floodlights which has fixed itself conveniently in between the Kenya
Cup. The floodlights traditionally was a pre-season event that was not
considered part of the rugby calendar. Prior to 1983 it did not exist
at all. How things have changed. The Impala stalwarts of the 70's
Peter Giraudo, Chris Lee, Bill Okwirry, John Muhato, George Kariuki
and Godfrey 'Chief' Edebe would marvel at how far and different Impala
has evolved.
usual the KRFU secretariat a.k.a IRB-Impala Rugby Business have
successfully come up with a remodelled set of fixtures that is skewed
in favour of certain interests. Thrown out of the window is the
prestigious Enterprise Cup and firmly entrenched is the Impala
Floodlights which has fixed itself conveniently in between the Kenya
Cup. The floodlights traditionally was a pre-season event that was not
considered part of the rugby calendar. Prior to 1983 it did not exist
at all. How things have changed. The Impala stalwarts of the 70's
Peter Giraudo, Chris Lee, Bill Okwirry, John Muhato, George Kariuki
and Godfrey 'Chief' Edebe would marvel at how far and different Impala
has evolved.
Back to the subject matter, the 2010 Kenya Rugby Resolutions are as follows.
1. KRFU should finally be transparent and present accounts.
Accountability has been totally lacking. This is the fourth year
without accounts.
2. KRFU must stop extortionist behaviour towards sponsors. Western
Union and Bamburi are the current victims. EABL and Virgin Atlantic
saw the writing on the wall and took off. EABL are now sponsoring the
Uganda League. Richard Branson loves Formula One now.
3. A total overhaul of the KRFU constitution is long overdue to make
it consistent with modern sporting trends and proper rugby structures.
Rugby Lawyers Edward Rombo, Edwin Obuya, Hillary Itela and John Ohaga
should be tasked with coming up with a Harmonised Rugby Draft.
4. The partisan characters in the secretariat being the General
Manager, Development Officer and other small time hatchetmen in the
office should have the services terminated immediately. The ladies are
far more non-partisan.
5. The electorate should vote out corrupt and incompetent individuals
from the board. To enlighten all these are Frank Sabwa, Fred Odhiambo,
David Lukalo, Innocent Moturi and. Willie Ombisi. The latter has no
moral fibre to be a union official. So help us Lord. 6. Kenya Rugby
7's to win at least one IRB Sevens tournament. Yes We Can.
7. Kenya Rugby 15's to play meaningful rugby opposition and finish a
much higher ranking than Uganda. A top four Africa ranking would be a
good target.
8. Union officials to have upright moral behaviour with regard to
sponsors. Red Pepper would have a field day if they wanted a Kenyan
edition.
9. Richard Omwela to officially declare this year his final year as
KRFU Chairman. Quit while your ahead.
That's the wishlist for now.
Happy 2010 and let's keep our new year rugby resolutions.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Drastic Changes in 2010 Rugby Season
The Kenya Rugby Football Union have released the fixtures for the 2010 Rugby Season. A major change in the season structure is the shifting of the Rugby Super Series to after the regular 15-a-side season, something we have long advocated for on this blog. The only drawback is it now falls just before the Safari(con) Sevens. Don't know if one may take the lustre from the other or not. The other major change is the creation of a window for international matches, another long fought for change. A key change in the season structure is the removal of the home and away format for the first division Kenya Cup league and the inclusion of semi finals and a final match. This I presume is to reduce the time the league will take in order to squeeze it into the required time frame.
Ominously absent completely from the fixtures is the oldest rugby tournament in East Africa, the Enterprise Cup! Strangely enough, this has been slated as a pre/post season tournament for the following season, with the Impala Floodlights getting the prime spot close to the end of the Kenya Cup that I thought would be reserved for the Enterprise Cup. It is easy to see which hands are fiddling with the fixtures.
Suffice to say, some consultation has gone into these fixtures, however, not enough. And the fiddling for partisan purposes is very clear to see and this is what we have always feared.
Excerpt from fixtures below.
Ominously absent completely from the fixtures is the oldest rugby tournament in East Africa, the Enterprise Cup! Strangely enough, this has been slated as a pre/post season tournament for the following season, with the Impala Floodlights getting the prime spot close to the end of the Kenya Cup that I thought would be reserved for the Enterprise Cup. It is easy to see which hands are fiddling with the fixtures.
Suffice to say, some consultation has gone into these fixtures, however, not enough. And the fiddling for partisan purposes is very clear to see and this is what we have always feared.
Excerpt from fixtures below.
| DATE | LOCAL FIXTURE |
| Sat Jan 23rd | Impala Floodlights |
| Sat Jan 30th | Impala Floodlights |
| Sat Feb 6th | Impala Floodlights |
| Thur-Sat 4th-6th Feb | |
| KENYA CUP LEAGUE | |
| Impala vs Strathmore | |
| Sat 13 th Feb | KCB vs MeanMachine |
| Quins vs Nondies | |
| 1st Leg | Nakuru vs Mwamba |
| Sat 20 th Feb | Meanmachine vs Impala |
| 2nd Leg | Nondies vs KCB |
| Quins vs Mwamba | |
| Nakuru vs strathmore | |
| Sat 27 th Feb | Impala vs Nondies |
| KCB vs Mwamba | |
| Strathmore vs Quins | |
| 3 rd Leg | Meanmachine vs Nakuru |
| Sat 6 th March | Mwamba vs Impala |
| Strathmore vs KCB | |
| 4th Leg | Quins vs Meanmachine |
| Nakuruu vs Nondies | |
| Sat 13 th March | Impala vs Nakuru |
| 5th Leg | KCB vs Quins |
| Strathmore vs Mwamba | |
| Nondies vs Meanmachine | |
| Sat 20 th March | Quins vs Impala |
| KCB vs Nakuru | |
| 6th Leg | Mwamba vs Meanmachine |
| Nondies vs Strathmore | |
| Sat-Sun 20 th-21 st March | |
| Sat 27 th March | Impala vs KCB |
| Nakuru vs Quins | |
| Mwamba vs Nondies | |
| 7 th Leg | Meanmachine vs Strathmore |
| Fri-Sun 26 th-28 th March | |
| Sun 27 th March | BLACKROCK TOURNAMENT |
| Sat 3 rd -4thApril | GREAT RIFT TENS -ASIDE |
| Sat 10 th April | |
| KENYA CUP SEMI FINALS | |
| 9 th Leg | |
| Sat 17 th April | |
| KENYA CUP FINALS | |
| 10 th Leg | |
| Sat 24th April | SUPER SERIES WEEK 1 |
| Sat 1 st May | SUPER SERIES WEEK 2 |
| Sat 8th May | SUPER SERIES WEEK 3 |
| Sat 15th May | SUPER SERIES WEEK 4 |
| Sat 22nd May | SUPER SERIES WEEK 5 |
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A Clear Starlit Night
No breeze in the air
No rain falling
Not a cloud in the sky
Just a clear starlit night.
Makes me look afar
Makes me wonder a lot
Makes want to really know
What this year will bring.
A good crop
A bumper harvest
A whole lot of food
The drought left behind us.
To remember the past
To remember our deeds
To remember the cause
Of what really happened.
Lest we ignore
Lest we forget
Lest our minds wander
Attention we will soon pay.
Where we were
Where we are
Where we are going
We all want to know.
Our people of yore
Our people of old
Our people always said
The stars hold the future.
So, what does 2010 hold for Rugby in Kenya. That the game of rugby has grown in leaps and bounds in not in doubt. That rugby is currently the most popular sport is not in doubt. That rugby is currently the most successful team sport is not in doubt. And what does that mean, to a layman like me?
Increased interest in the sport means increased spotlight on the sport. I'm a firm believer in learning from the past, and from what others do.... save us re-inventing the wheel.. so to speak! So how does the past affect our future? It's simple. Everyone now wants to be involved in rugby, in one way or the other. Where have we seen this before? Cricket? Basketball? Hockey? Soccer? Take your pick. People will now be involved in whatever way they can. Simply the last 3 months has shown us what to expect. Tusker's pulling out of the Elgon cup caused them to also lose the Safari Sevens. They also lost out on the sevens team and with foot firmly in mouth, forked out #$@ knows how much to sponsor the live transmissions and replays of the IRB Sevens circuit on SuperSport! Things to come... the grapevine has it they want back into rugby so we wait and see.
Who else wants to be involved? Looking at other sports, it is now only a matter of time. I foresee the independent clubs continuing where they left off last season by attracting huge sponsorships. Those willing to keep an arm's length will do it this way. The next thing we will see is more corporate teams being formed and joining KCB. I feel they are all looking for ways in and the likes of Mumias, Oserian and maybe even Tusker themselves come to mind (Homeboyz are already in the fray, I think). And what does that mean?
Ominous signs for me here. Is it going to be the death of self supporting clubs like Nondies, Quins and Mwamba... even if only for a while like the soccer teams of AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia? It is clear that the institutional sides will come in with more money and hence perhaps attract most of the better players to them! And this may lead to declining performances by the hitherto "best sides". I just don't know. The positive side to me is that we will finally be finding a place for the 150+ players produced by the schools system every hear.
Do have a good year and let's keep the dialogue going.
No rain falling
Not a cloud in the sky
Just a clear starlit night.
Makes me look afar
Makes me wonder a lot
Makes want to really know
What this year will bring.
A good crop
A bumper harvest
A whole lot of food
The drought left behind us.
To remember the past
To remember our deeds
To remember the cause
Of what really happened.
Lest we ignore
Lest we forget
Lest our minds wander
Attention we will soon pay.
Where we were
Where we are
Where we are going
We all want to know.
Our people of yore
Our people of old
Our people always said
The stars hold the future.
So, what does 2010 hold for Rugby in Kenya. That the game of rugby has grown in leaps and bounds in not in doubt. That rugby is currently the most popular sport is not in doubt. That rugby is currently the most successful team sport is not in doubt. And what does that mean, to a layman like me?
Increased interest in the sport means increased spotlight on the sport. I'm a firm believer in learning from the past, and from what others do.... save us re-inventing the wheel.. so to speak! So how does the past affect our future? It's simple. Everyone now wants to be involved in rugby, in one way or the other. Where have we seen this before? Cricket? Basketball? Hockey? Soccer? Take your pick. People will now be involved in whatever way they can. Simply the last 3 months has shown us what to expect. Tusker's pulling out of the Elgon cup caused them to also lose the Safari Sevens. They also lost out on the sevens team and with foot firmly in mouth, forked out #$@ knows how much to sponsor the live transmissions and replays of the IRB Sevens circuit on SuperSport! Things to come... the grapevine has it they want back into rugby so we wait and see.
Who else wants to be involved? Looking at other sports, it is now only a matter of time. I foresee the independent clubs continuing where they left off last season by attracting huge sponsorships. Those willing to keep an arm's length will do it this way. The next thing we will see is more corporate teams being formed and joining KCB. I feel they are all looking for ways in and the likes of Mumias, Oserian and maybe even Tusker themselves come to mind (Homeboyz are already in the fray, I think). And what does that mean?
Ominous signs for me here. Is it going to be the death of self supporting clubs like Nondies, Quins and Mwamba... even if only for a while like the soccer teams of AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia? It is clear that the institutional sides will come in with more money and hence perhaps attract most of the better players to them! And this may lead to declining performances by the hitherto "best sides". I just don't know. The positive side to me is that we will finally be finding a place for the 150+ players produced by the schools system every hear.
Do have a good year and let's keep the dialogue going.
Mean Machine seek to regain lost glory in 2010
Happy New your to all you Machine fans (bobobo). I do hope you all had
a good one this past holiday. I had a December to remember as my mama
graduated and we went to Coast for some serious Kayumbet.
a good one this past holiday. I had a December to remember as my mama
graduated and we went to Coast for some serious Kayumbet.
Thereafter we separated for Christmas as I did the long journey to
Kisii to spend there with clan as mama was in Nakuru with hers too.
The new year found us together at Club Clicks K2 and thereafter life
has changed for her. Having graduated she feels she has outgrown
campus trends and campus tricks. No more midweek trysts with her
anymore as she tarmacks for a job to look after us. Thankfully she is
not tired of her campus jamaa.
Being a campus guy and proud of my engineering heritage I sauntered
off to Mwenda's and found myself sitting with some freshers eager to
play for Mean Machine and I immediately took note.
By the time we were heading back to our halls serious theories had
been exchanged on how Machine would regain its lost glory. We plotted
to win Impala Floodies then Kenya Cup then Super Series then Safari
Sevens then Enterprise Cup and finally the Sevens Circuit. Mean
Machine then would have regained its ultimate glory and Kopo would
have led us all the way. Go Machine go.
I miss my mama.
--
Sent from my mobile device
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Shujaa to Warm Up in Darwin
Kenya Rugby 7's side Shujaa are set to warm up for the next two legs of the IRB Sevens Circuit in an international tournament in Darwin's Hottest Rugby 7's. The world cup semi finalists are the stars of the event timed to provide teams going for the Wellington leg of the circuit an opportunity to try out before the main event. Criticism was high before the last two legs in Dubai and George that the team was not adequately prepared and consensus was also on the team not having enough bench power to carry them through two exhausting high paced high powered days of sevens rugby. This tournament may just be the opportunity to try and put those concerns to rest. The only concern now arising would be the wisdom of playing three successive weekends of sevens rugby. Seems like you really can't win this one, can you?
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