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Babu has urged Mwamba fans to trust the process with the youngsters despite the side's heavy thrashing to Kenya Harlequin in their opening Kenya Cup clash of the season last week.
Mwamba Rugby Club's coach Joseph Babu Odindi remains optimistic about his team's prospects in the 2024/2025 Kenya Cup season, even after a heavy 55-22 defeat to Kenya Harlequin in their opening match.
Speaking ahead of their second clash against Impala, Babu highlighted the youthfulness of his squad, which is largely composed of recent high school graduates.
He expressed confidence in their potential to push Mwamba to a semi-final finish, especially with the return of key players Daniel Taabu and Joel Inzuga from international duty.
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Babu emphasised that his side’s development is a long-term project:
“Three quarters of our side didn’t play Kenya Cup last season. They are just a promoted side from ESS. Most of our players are under 20 years old, with an average age of around 20 to 22 years. It’s a gradual process, but we believe the results will come if we stick to our plans.”
Mwamba's philosophy of nurturing young talent remains central to their strategy. The coach acknowledged the team’s reliance on younger players, given that senior members often have national assignments:
“We always give the younger players a chance. Even if our senior players are available, they can only cover two or three games. With 12 games to the playoffs, we trust the young players to step up, and we’ll guide them to deliver results.”
Despite challenges, including the lack of a stable home ground, Babu is resolute about Mwamba’s goal of securing a semi-final berth:
“Many have written off Mwamba, but we are determined. We’ll use the minimal resources we have to not only support our players’ growth but also achieve what many see as unachievable. By 2025, I believe we’ll be ready to compete at the highest level.”
Mwamba’s approach, blending youth development with resilience, sets them apart in the league. While the season opener was far from ideal, Babu's faith in his squad signals that the team's journey is one of steady progress, not quick fixes.
Their clash against Impala will be a crucial test for the young team to demonstrate their potential and resilience.
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