On 4th May 2016, Resolution Impala Saracens announced the fortifying of its technical bench. The fortification elevated former forwards’ coach Frank Ndong’ to Head Coach and confirmed Oscar Osir Osula as backs coach. Fred Ollows stayed on as Director of Rugby. Ndong’ will be going out on his first assignment as Head Coach against an opponent who beat the Resolution Impala Saracens Gazelles twice in the recently concluded 2016/17 Kenya Cup season. Although the Gazelles lost both home and away, the Boks beat Quins thrice in the ESS league: 15-13 at home, 19-15 away and the exhilirating 32-12 semifinal win where the Boks scrum shelled the Kenya Harlequins pack for the entire 80 minutes.
Ndong’ who is Kenya’s most capped forward, is an undisputable Kenya Cup Champion and has captained Kenya XV is ingrained with confidence on a phone call with the Resolution Impala Saracens’ media team:
‘’All I want in my first outing is a win. We will need to take care of the Quins’ efficiency. They have a high strike rate. Our scrum has been our most efficient tool this season. We might miss the services of Dennis Karani, James Kubasu, Erick Kerre & Simon Muniafu who are away for camp in South Africa with the Kenya XV but I believe those we named in the squad this weekend will rise up to the occasion.’’
When asked about Tobias Otieno’s inclusion at lock in the side facing Homeboyz II at 2pm, Ndong’ assuringly said this, ‘’There are a couple of Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy players who we’ve identified and want to rise up to championship level. Toby has been outstanding in training. He’s held his own against the big boys in the past few sessions the team has had. Training sessions at Impala pack intensity and if he can stand solid against his more experienced teammates, then he can stand tall against any opponent.’’
