Esalwa's Wetindi keen to challenge the mighty in Vihiga County School Games

Esalwa Boys rugby team is in high spirits after qualifying for the Vihiga County Secondary School games this year as head coach Vincent Wetindi says his charges are prepared for the challenge ahead.

Wetindi says the Esalwa rugby team of 15 players' major task was to return to the County stage so that they can begin strategizing on how to move past the group stage where they left the competitions last year.

“It was a nice experience securing a slot at the County stage although as number two. We have an opportunity to fight for our space now and perhaps surprise our opponents by representing Vihiga County this year in the regionals,” Wetindi said.

In the Emuhaya Sub-County finals played at Ebunangwe, Esalwa advanced to the County stage as second best team after falling to Ebusiloli Secondary 11-0 after thrashing Emusire Boys 15-0.

The Emusire Boys team would then exit the competitions for failing to score any try since Ebusiloli also beat the 11 tries to nil.

However, Wetindi has decried poor officiating in school games. He says the investments the schools and coaches are putting in place to prepare teams are sometimes wasted in a manner referees make calls on the pitch.

“Let organizers consider proper venues for these competitions, manage time well and ensure teams get referees willing to make well thought professional decisions on the pitch so that we don’t get a raw deal bearing the amount of preparations we put in these games,” Wetindi stated.

“If correct calls are made on the pitch and right cards issued, I am sure we can do well, surprise our opponents and proceed to the regionals as Vihiga County champions,” he added.

Be it as it may, Esalwa Boys have a long way to go given that they struggled at the Sub-County only to manage the second slot having exited the competitions last year in group stages at the County level.

Thus, Wetindi must get his acts right in order that his charges may be able to overthrow the on form reigning Vihiga County Rugby 15s champions Vihiga Boys High School and Chavakali Boys.

Kegoye, Senende Kaimosi and Nyang’ori Boys are equally teams to watch for anyone anticipating Vihiga Rugby glory this year but Wetindi feels he has what it takes to put Esalwa Boys, seemingly underdogs on the map of Rugby giants in Vihiga this year.