Mwamba falls after 26 years in top flight rugby
The club is home to legends and former Kenyan internationals like Humphrey Khayange, Lavin Asego, Larry Asego and Collins Injera amongst others
After nearly three decades in the Kenya Cup, Mwamba Rugby Football Club has been relegated from the top tier after what has been a torturous and emotionally draining season for the team known by their loyalists as Kulabu.
Mwamba RFC, which has been playing in the crème league, has been a regular fixture for the past 26 years uninterrupted, but just like its peers next door: Impala RFC and Nondescripts RFC (previous winners relegated later), a taste of the championship is about to get real. Alongside newcomers South Coast Pirates, Mwamba under coach Mark Mshila finished in 11th place with 16 points in the regular season with Pirates bottom on nine points.
Captain Bruce Shiemi has reflected on what has been a painful exit from the Kenya Cup but has called on the team to rebuild and regroup next year as one of the oldest clubs in the country vows a comeback.
“To the Mwamba Family, this is a tough moment for all of us. As captain, it breaks my heart to say that we have fallen short. We fought, we gave our all, but in the end, it was not enough. Relegation is a painful reality-one that we never imagined for this great club. I know how much this team means to you, our fans, members and everyone who has stood with us through thick and thin. We share your pain. We feel your disappointment.”
“To my teammates-I have seen the sweat, the sacrifice and the passion you have poured into every match. This season tested us in ways we never expected, but I am proud of each and every one of you. To our fans, you never wavered. Through every battle, you stood by us, cheered for us and believed in us even if results did not go our way. We owe you more.”
“Mwamba is built on resilience, on the will to rise no matter how hard we fall. This is not the end. We will rebuild, we will fight and we will be back. The journey back to the Kenya Cup begins now. Stay with, us. Believe in us. Mwamba is more than just a team, we are a family, and we are history so we are not done yet. We are Mwamba always!”
Mwamba is home to legends and former Kenyan internationals like Humphrey Khayange, Lavin Asego, Larry Asego and Collins Injera amongst others.
