Utility back Kevin Gachoka is the new captain of the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine.

He takes over from Eric Madegwa who captained Mean Machine during their 30th anniversary. Gachoka who will be deputized by Kenya international forward Wilson Kopondo was elected on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the UoN ground.

Immediately, Gachoka said they were confident of a good performance this season. “We have retained the bulk of the players we had last season. Last year, we were still in a development stage and played some of the players out of position but towards the end of the season, we struck a good chord and surprised some of the big wigs,” Gachoka observed.

Some of the players who have been retained by Mean Machine are Moses Mukabane, John Ouko, Joseph Kamau, Desmond Micheni, Kobia Mwiti, Harry Shiverenje, Chris Njagi, Madegwa, Davis Makori and Ernest Jura. Perhaps, the biggest boost is the return of backrow Odera Owino, a former captain who had a stint at Nondescripts last season.

The team trains every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the UoN ground. An average of 30 players have been attending the sessions, which are being conducted by some of the senior players as they await word from the University administration on the possibility of securing a coach. Benjamin Ayimba, the national seven-a-side coach handled Mean Machine last year.

Already, the Mean Machine officials have approached Ayimba to continue. They also have an option of adding national 15’s coach Michael ‘Tank’ Otieno to the bench. Otieno has joined the UoN staff. He has been coaching Kenya Commercial Bank. Training is expected to pick up once the UoN re-opens on January 28, 2008 when Gachoka will be planning for the Impala Floodlit tournament, which is supposed to kick off on February 16 at the Impala Club.

Mean Machine officials: Daniel Kanyatta (chairman), Davis Makori (secretary), Joseph Kamau (treasurer), Kevin Gachoka (captain), Wilson Kopondo (vice captain).

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