South Coast Pirates head coach Tony Khadambi has played down the impact of last weekend’s 13-08 derby defeat to their rivals Mombasa rfc, insisting the setback will not derail the club’s ambitions as they prepare to host Mean Machine this Saturday in Diani.
Speaking to Two5four ahead of the weekend clash, Khadambi admitted the loss was painful but believes it offers valuable lessons for his side. “Last weekend’s loss was unexpected but it is part of sports and a derby. It hurts but it does not define who we are or where we are going,” said Khadambi.
The Pirates boss pointed out that despite the result, his team showed encouraging signs during the contest, controlling large spells of the game.”We controlled big parts of that game and now our focus is simple; we learn from our mistakes, fix what went wrong and be better this weekend,” he added.
Attention now shifts to a home encounter against Mean Machine, with Khadambi confident his players have embraced the challenge ahead.“The boys understand the assignment and are prepared and focused for Mean Machine at home,” he noted.
Khadambi revealed that the key message during the week has been about composure and trust in the team’s systems, especially in high-pressure moments.
“This week’s message is to be calm under pressure, confidence in the structure and be focused to the last minute.”
With a vocal home crowd expected, South Coast Pirates will be aiming to translate preparation into performance as they seek a strong response and a return to winning ways.
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