Celebrated Kenyan fullback Darwin Mukidza will replace Mark Mshilla on the KCB Rugby technical bench ahead of the new season slated to kick off this November.
Mukidza will serve as the backs coach, taking over the role previously held by Mshilla, who departed alongside long-serving head coach Curtis Olago at the end of last season.
Darwin Mukidza’s run at KCB Rugby
Mukidza, who topped KCB’s point-scoring charts for several seasons, will aim to make a significant impact in his coaching role, just as he did during his playing career.
KCB’s Darwin Mukidza kicks agaisnt Mwamba in Kenya Cup. Photo Courtesy/Denis Acre-hALF
“Scrum-half Samuel Asati, Captain Jacob Ojee, and full-back Darwin Mukidza, now the backs coach, were also recognised with leadership awards for their pivotal roles and guidance of the team,” KCB Rugby confirmed.
Though Mukidza is yet to officially announce his retirement from club rugby, he recently featured for the Kenya Legends and earned the man-of-the-match award in the Simbas’ victory. He had previously announced his retirement from international rugby before the 2023 season.
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Mukidza made his debut for the Kenya Simbas in 2015 against Portugal and went on to earn 47 caps over an eight-year international career. He was the top point and try scorer for the Simbas and also played 16 matches for the Kenya 7s team.
In 2022, he helped the Simbas finish second in the Rugby Africa Cup and represented the team in the World Cup Repechage. Throughout his club career, Mukidza played for Mombasa RFC, Mwamba RFC, and KCB RFC.
KCB Rugby huddle in a past action. Photo CourtesyDennis Acre-half.
Mukidza joins fellow former teammate Oliver Mang’eni, who is the new head coach. The technical bench has also retained forward coach Dennis Mwanja, and Kenya 7s strength and conditioning coach Andrew Amonde is expected to be part of the bench.
