Strathmore Leos have received a major boost following the acquisition of playmaker Amon Wamalwa from Kenya Harlequin.
Head coach Willis “Foxxy” Ojal believes the signing of Wamalwa addresses one of the challenges they faced last season.
“Earlier this season, I had said we need depth and by signing Amon from Quins, he brings a wealth of experience, game-breaking ability and, at the same time, game management for that position. As a club, we are delighted to have signed him,” noted Ojal.
Also joining the Madaraka-based side is Nahashon Mwangemi from Mombasa Sports Club, as the Leos look to bounce back from an underwhelming campaign that saw them finish eighth, with just three wins from eleven matches — a far cry from seasons past when they were Kenya Cup semi-finalists in consecutive years.
“We are putting the pieces together and we have learnt our lessons from last season. We need to polish up on the weak areas which cost us and, at the same time, start the Kenya Cup season strongly,” added Ojal.
Wamalwa, who has also represented the Kenya Morans and the national under-20 team, is one of seventeen players who left Quins following a contractual standoff between the players and the club. He recently featured for Apache at the Safari Sevens held at the Nyayo Stadium a fortnight ago.
Wamalwa expressed his delight with the move, saying, “I’m delighted to join Strathmore. It’s one of the top clubs in the country with lots of top talent and a good coach in Willis Ojal. With so many talented players in both sevens and fifteens, we are looking to go all the way to the play-offs and win some trophies.”
Elsewhere, KRU Championship side South Coast Pirates will host rivals Mombasa RFC in a pre-season friendly on Saturday at Seacrest Grounds in Diani. The much-anticipated encounter, dubbed the Coast Derby, will serve as a curtain-raiser for the 2025/26 KRU Championship season.
Pirates, who were relegated from the Kenya Cup last season alongside Mwamba RFC after just one year in the top flight, will use the match to gauge their readiness ahead of a demanding campaign. It will also mark the first game in charge for new head coach Tony Khadambi, who took over the team during the off-season.
by WILLIAM NJUGUNA
