Injuries force Nondies into changes ahead of Dala Sevens

Nondescripts' fullback Tony Fidens in action against Nakuru RFC  during a recent match/ HANDOUT

Nondescripts will be without Brian Ayimba and Tony Fidens for this weekend’s Dala Sevens in Kisumu after both players sustained injuries during the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa.

Ayimba fractured his arm in Nondies’ 14-10 Main Cup semi-final defeat to Kabras Sugar while Fidens suffered a hamstring tear in the same match, with both players expected to spend the next three weeks on the sidelines. Ayimba is the son of former Kenya Sevens captain and coach Benjamin Ayimba,

Despite the setbacks, head coach Moses Wanyaga is confident his squad has the depth to remain competitive. “We have enough players to come in and give us quality after a very good tournament last week, and we hope we can replicate that performance in Kisumu,” said Wanyaga.

The coach admitted defensive lapses proved costly against Kabras and wants his side to tighten up at the back. “We gave away two easy tries to Kabras, which we should have avoided. We have learnt our lessons and will be better defensively in the next leg,” he said.

Wanyaga has also challenged his players to maintain consistency over the remaining five rounds of the National Sevens Circuit after an inconsistent campaign last season. “Our biggest undoing last year was inconsistency. We had too many lows and very few highs. We must aim to reach the Main Cup quarter-finals in every leg and challenge the top teams consistently,” he added.

The tactician revealed the team has focused on improving its defensive organisation and efficiency at the breakdown during training. “We still have work to do with our defensive alignment and at the tackled-ball area. We need to recycle possession much faster if we want to compete with the best sides.”

Nondies face a stern challenge in Pool C at the Dala Sevens, where they will take on Daystar Falcons, Mwamba RFC and hosts Kisumu RFC. 

“Daystar are a side that play with plenty of pace and have excellent game-breakers. Mwamba are on the rise again and have quality in their squad, while Kisumu will be motivated to perform well in front of their home supporters,” Wanyaga said.

New signings Lamech Ambetsa and Barnabas Owuor, who joined from Strathmore Leos, are expected to play key roles alongside captain Ronnie Omondi, Victor Rogena and Charles Odhiambo as Nondies seek another strong showing in Kisumu.