Game management, tactical flexibility key as Quins eye Floodlit semi, says Agunda

WILLIAM NJUGUNA

October 23, 2025 2 min read

Harlequin coach Patrice Agunda says game management and tactical flexibility will be key as his side seeks a place in the semi-finals of the Impala Floodlit tournament on Saturday.

Agunda said managing the game and playing in the right areas would be crucial as Quins look to make progress.

“From last season, one of the biggest challenges we had was the management of matches; we struggled in that regard. From the training sessions we have, we have worked on it as well as other facets of play to ensure we are ready for this Saturday,” he said.

He added: “The key importance of the upcoming Impala Floodlit is to test our systems and see the areas where we want to improve from and see what needs to be done for us to be competitive come the start of the Kenya Cup season.”

Quins face varsity outfit Blak Blad in what Agunda described as a tricky contest, especially with the students having shown consistent improvement over the past three years.

“Blak Blad will be a tough test. Last year, they beat KCB in the quarters. They are a passionate, hungry, and physical outfit and play with structure, so we are wary of the threat they pose,” noted Agunda.

The former Kenya Simbas and Sevens international said improvements in the set-piece and defensive alignment will be key for both the weekend clash and the season ahead.

“We have addressed those areas in training, and it will now boil down to execution,” he said.

The Ngong Road giants have endured a turbulent month after a record 17 players left the club following a contract standoff, but Agunda insists the situation has stabilised.

“We are in a good place after what happened and we now focus on the task at hand of playing and winning rugby matches,” he observed.

In other fixtures, Nondescripts face Strathmore, Impala take on Mwamba, while the match of the weekend pits holders Menengai Oilers against former champions KCB.