Promoted sides Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and debutants Daystar University Falcons are finding life in the Kenya Cup challenging after a difficult start to the season.
MMUST, who returned to the top tier after two seasons away, and Daystar Falcons, making their Kenya Cup debut, remain winless after three rounds.
MMUST sit 10th on the standings, while Daystar Falcons are 11th, with both teams having secured promotion last season. Kisumu RFC prop up the table.
Over the weekend, Daystar Falcons suffered a 43–19 defeat, while MMUST went down 47–17 to Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in a varsity derby. Kisumu RFC endured a heavy 74–10 loss to defending champions Kabras Sugar.
Despite the early struggles, MMUST head coach John Asila insists there is no cause for panic and believes his side can retain their Kenya Cup status — and possibly challenge for a playoff spot.
“Most of our players are featuring in the Kenya Cup for the first time due to the high transition rate at the university. It is good for academics, but challenging for rugby.
The players who featured for us three years ago have moved on after completing their studies,” Asila said. He added that the squad has begun to settle after three matches at the top level.
“We lost to Blak Blad and Harlequins due to lapses in concentration and inexperience, but we are improving with each game,” he said.
MMUST will be seeking their first win of the season when they face Impala RFC on Saturday in Kakamega, a fixture Asila believes presents an opportunity despite Impala’s recent improvement.
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