After missing Kenya Cup promotion by a whisker last season, falling at home in the hands of Mean Machine, South Coast Pirates ace Cliphod Odhiambo now believes they are well prepared and itching for the new season that starts in a fortnight.
Cliphod who doubles as team assistant captain played a key role during the last campaign, featuring in almost all fixtures for the club, has turned his faith to the sky, praying to God to lead Pirates to their maiden glory leaving nothing to chance.
“To qualify for Kenya Cup next season, I really pray God to keep us together as a team, I personally demand the best from my teammates, we have rectified the mistakes that cost us the golden chance against machine last season, it’s something which we will never want it to repeat again,” he said.
The Kevin Amiani-led charges have been busy with preseason preparations, coupled with a series of campings in and outside Kwale county, something which the 24-year-old sees as their reason to mount a title chase and eventually win it.
“We’ve had the best preseason so far that will really help us win matches, from the look of things we are ready for the task ahead”.
He believes pirates are on their stride and are ready to roar again if their current preparations are anything to go by. Last weekend the ukunda-based side thrashed their neighbours Mombasa RFC 27-10 in a friendly tie staged at Mombasa sports club to grab the bragging rights and stretch their dominance in the local derby.
The ever-green Elias Gitonga, Halfback Ali Rashid and Devin Abuga were the thorns on Mombasa’s flesh, crossing over the chalk for a try each.
Pirates will bank on the majority of last season’s players having successfully retained 98% of them.
They will kick off their title chase campaign at home against USIU,26th, November
