NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17 – Ofafa Jericho Secondary School rugby team coach James Kaili says this year’s Prescott Cup is the perfect opportunity to see how far his team have come.
The defending champions kickstart their title defence this Saturday against two-time champions Nairobi School, a match Kaili expects to be anything but a stroll for his students.
“It is going to be a very competitive match…that is the beauty of the Prescott Cup, any team can win it…all the 10 teams in the competition are favourites to win it,” the tactician said.
The school from the eastside of Nairobi were crowned champions last year after a 24-20 win over Rift Valley Academy in thr finals, their first title in the history of the under-19 competition.
Apart from Nairobi School, Ofafa have to face two other esteemed opposition in Pool A, including four-time champions Upperhill and two-time champions Lenana as well as Kiambu High School.
The stature of their opponents notwithstanding, Kaili notes that the competition is an opportunity for his charges to take one more step forward towards becoming world-class rugby players.
“We do not have the pressure of winning…at the end of the day, the focus is on the development of the players. If we win, well and good but if we lose, it is also an opportunity to identify areas to rectify and improve as the players move to the next level of their careers,” he said.
The tactician applauded the Prescott Cup for enhancing the growth of schools rugby and particularly, Ofafa, as a powerhouse in the country.
“It has really helped us grow our schools rugby. One of the requirements is that you must have a team II side and for us, I am really looking forward to seeing the growth of our Form Ones and Twos. This ensures the continuity of our dominance as a schools rugby team…as well as for all the other teams,” Kaili said.
The coach also spoke on his strictness when it comes to the academic focus of his players.
“What we tell the students is that yes we will win but then again the trophy will remain in the principal’s office. What matters is the grade you get in your KCSE because this provides the opportunity to take your career to the next level by getting scholarships to join university,” he explained.
Kaili added: “The highlight for us last year was not the Prescott Cup but the fact that 99 per cent of our players did well in their KCSE.”
In Pool B, last year’s losing finalists Rift Valley Academy will face off with 2019 losing finalists Dagoretti High School in their opening match at the same venue.
Other teams in the pool include three-time champions Alliance High School, two-time winners Mang’u and Strathmore.
In the second-tier Damu Pevu Shield, St. Mary’s are in Pool A with Langata High School , Aquinas High School,Light Academy School and Sunshine School while Pool B features Githiga, Thika High, Jamhuri and Garden Estate.
Match Day 1
Prescott Cup
Lenana v Upper Hill | Sat 20 May 2023 | 4.00pm | Lenana School Pitch A
RVA v Dagoretti | Sat 20 May 2023 | 4.00pm | Lenana School Pitch B
Ofafa v Nairobi School | Sun 21 May 2023 | 4.00pm | Lenana School Pitch A
Mangú v Alliance | TBC
Damu Changa (U17s)
Lenana II v Upper Hill II |Sat 20 May 2023 | 2.00pm | Lenana School Pitch A |
RVA II v Dagoretti II| Sat 20 May 2023 | 2.00pm | Lenana School Pitch B
Ofafa II v Nairobi School II | Sun 21 May 2023 |2.00pm | Lenana School Pitch A
Mangú II v Alliance II | TBC
