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Paarwater was far from pleased with his boys' performances despite their narrow 27-25 win over Uganda in the Elgon Cup first leg clash that took place in Nairobi.
Following a gritty 27-25 victory over Uganda Cranes on Saturday, Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater expressed concern over a key tactical issue that could jeopardise their chances in the upcoming Elgon Cup return leg.
Held at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds, the clash rekindled the fierce rivalry between the East African rugby giants, with Kenya edging ahead by the slimmest of margins.
As the Simbas prepare for the November 16 rematch in Kampala, Paarwater revealed his primary worry: discipline around the tackle area.
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15:30 - 10.11.2024
Why Kenya Simbas captain is critical of team's performance despite Elgon cup triumph
Kenya Simbas are poised for a crunch return leg showdown in Kampala as captain George Nyambua calls for improvement.
Reflecting on the game, Paarwater acknowledged his squad's limited preparation time yet remains optimistic about improvements.
“I think we knew it was going to be tough because we only had a short time to prepare,” Paarwater stated.
“In terms of what we wanted out of the game, we can only be better going forward. But the most concerning issue was our discipline around the tackle area. The referee caught us a couple of times, and that’s something we must address.”
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19:00 - 09.11.2024
Kenya Simbas edge Uganda in gritty first-Leg 2024 Elgon Cup showdown
Kenya narrowly edged out a spirited Uganda Cranes side 27-25 in Nairobi, and have their work cut out to get the overall victory away in Kampala next week.
The coach emphasized the need to limit penalties, noting that while some were open to interpretation, discipline around set pieces remains a critical area for improvement.
“Some penalties were a bit 50-50, especially at set pieces, but this game gave us a platform to identify areas to work on. Next week, we have to be sharper,” he added.
Captain George Nyambua, a Kabras Sugar standout, echoed his coach’s sentiments.
Nyambua pointed to the need for a detailed review session before the rematch, acknowledging that Kenya’s performance was hampered by costly penalties on offsides and high tackles.
“We need to sit down and review the videos to identify where we went wrong and what worked. We gave away too many penalties, particularly on offsides and high tackles, which we’ll need to correct before heading to Kampala,” Nyambua observed.
As the Simbas look to defend their slim lead in the Elgon Cup second leg, Paarwater’s focus on discipline around tackles could prove decisive.
The stakes are high, and Kenya’s chances of sealing victory in Kampala hinge on their ability to reduce penalties and improve their tactical approach.
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