KRU championship side South Coast Pirates will host their counterparts and rivals Mombasa RFC in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, November 1, 2025, 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 in the off-season.
“This is a crucial test for us. We have several new players in camp, and this game will help us assess combinations and match fitness before the season starts,” said Khadambi.
South Coast Pirates will kick off their Championship campaign at home against newly promoted Kisii RFC on November 22, while Mombasa RFC will begin their season away in Nairobi against JKUAT Cougars on the same weekend.
The Coast Derby is expected to draw a large local crowd as both sides seek early bragging rights and momentum before the new season begins.
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