Usiu A Martials Return Kru Championship

United States International University Africa rugby side, USIU-A Martials, are determined to bounce back to the KRU Championship after suffering relegation to the Nationwide league.

The Martials, alongside Western Bulls Rugby Club, dropped to the KRU Nationwide League at the end of the just-concluded season, but head coach Tom Lagat has made it clear that their stay in the lower division will be brief.

“We are not planning to stay down; we are planning to compete and earn our way back at the first opportunity,” said Lagat, emphasising the club’s ambition to return stronger, more structured, and more resilient.

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

The tactician acknowledged that achieving promotion will demand discipline, consistency, and significant work behind the scenes, but maintained that the objective remains clear—secure a quick return to the second tier. As part of their rebuilding process, USIU-A will utilise the National Sevens Circuit to sharpen their edge ahead of the new campaign.

Lagat views the circuit as a critical platform for maintaining competitiveness, improving player fitness, and enhancing decision-making under pressure. “We’ll be strategic in how we approach the circuit, but it’s definitely part of our plan moving forward,” he added.

The team also heads to Kampala for their annual trip, where they will face Victoria Sharks Rugby Club in the East African Universities Cup organised by the Federation of East African University Sports.

According to Lagat, the trip will serve as a starting point for their rebuilding efforts, offering a chance for reflection, accountability, and team bonding. Looking back at the previous season, Lagat admitted it had been a difficult campaign, with shortcomings in consistency, squad depth, and game management proving costly.

While the team showed flashes of quality, they struggled to maintain performance levels across the season. Moving forward, the focus will be on rebuilding with intent—tightening systems, improving physical conditioning, and creating stronger competition within the squad.

Lagat stressed that emphasis will be placed on decision-making under pressure and building a deeper, more competitive team capable of sustaining high performance throughout the season. With a clear plan in place and early steps already underway, USIU-A Martials are setting their sights firmly on a swift return to the KRU Champion