Masinde Muliro rugby coach disheartened by loss against Impala Saracens

Masinde Muliro University's rugby team head coach, John Asila, has expressed his disappointment following his team's inability to secure a spot in the Kenya Cup tournament.

Addressing the media, Asila described the defeat against Impala Saracens in a closely contested match as a painful experience for his team.

Losing by a single point, with a score line of 12-11, in the semi-final phase at the Kakamega Show Grounds was particularly disheartening for the varsity boys, according to the tactician.

Asila emphasized that none of his players should bear the blame for the loss, attributing it instead to unfortunate circumstances.

Despite the setback, he urged his team to put the defeat behind them and shift their focus towards future endeavours.

"We are in the process of recovering from the setback we faced, which is an inherent part of the game. While it was a painful experience for us, we must move forward collectively as a team," said Asila.

Declining to assign blame to any individual player, Asila assumed responsibility for the outcome, acknowledging the efforts put forth by his team in their pursuit of qualification.

"I cannot fault any of my players; if there is blame to be placed, it falls on me. They demonstrated the necessary commitment, but sometimes fate intervenes," he remarked.

Looking ahead, Asila disclosed that the team has resumed training for upcoming tournaments, including 7s and 15s formats. Additionally, efforts are underway to recruit new rugby talent to bolster the squad for future competitions.

Furthermore, Asila congratulated Impala Saracens for their spirited performance and wished them success in the ensuing stages of the Kenya Cup tournament.

"Impala Saracens is a formidable opponent, boasting a rich history in Kenyan rugby. We extend our best wishes to them and also to South Coast Pirates. We hope they represent our region admirably and perhaps mitigate our disappointment by achieving commendable results in the Kenya Cup," Asila concluded.