The Lineout General: Mang'eni relishing his new coaching role at KCB

KCB's Oliver Mang'eni (left) is tackled by Clinton Khasai of Strathmore Leos during Kenya Cup match at KCB Sports Club on Saturday, Feb 27, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Few figures in Kenyan rugby have commanded the battlefield like Oliver ‘Olishe’ Mang’eni, a towering presence whose name became synonymous with dominance in the lineout.

A relentless competitor, a fearless leader, and a master tactician, Mang’eni built a legacy as one of Kenya's finest rugby players. Whether soaring above opponents to claim the ball or marshaling his team with unmatched authority, Mang’eni's prowess on the field was undeniable.

From 2009 to 2015, Mang’eni dazzled fans and analysts alike with his commanding displays for KCB RFC, the Kenya Sevens, and the Kenya Fifteens (Simbas). His performances during Kenya’s rugby golden era left spectators in awe, eager for more of his brilliance.

But at the end of the 2022/2023 season, after a decorated career spanning over a decade, the 36-year-old lineout general finally hung up his boots, transitioning from a player to a coach.

Mang’eni’s trophy-laden career is the stuff of dreams. He claimed the Kenya Cup title five times, in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022, establishing himself as a serial winner.

His accolades don’t stop there. Mang'eni captured the Enterprise Cup three times (2015, 2016, and 2017) and secured five Floodlit Rugby titles. On the sevens circuit, he added two National Sevens Circuit crowns to his name in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

Internationally, Mang’eni was a key player in Kenya’s Rugby Africa Cup win in 2013, nearly led the Simbas to the Rugby World Cup in 2014, and played in the Currie Cup in South Africa in 2022.

With his playing days behind him, Mang’eni’s passion for the game hasn’t faded. It’s perhaps this glittering career and his innate understanding of the game that led him to take up the role of lineout coach for KCB Rugby Club for the 2023/2024 Kenya Cup season.

Working with promising talents like Kenya U20 star Andy Cole Omollo and former U20 standout Emmanuel Silungi, Mang’eni has seamlessly transitioned from player to mentor, driven by a desire to mold the next generation of lineout specialists.

Mang’eni’s coaching career gained momentum during the 2024 Rugby Super Series, where he took on a starring role as head coach of the KCB Bank Lions Franchise.

Under his guidance, the team reached the final of the prestigious tournament, marking its return after a decade-long absence. Although they fell just short of victory, Mang’eni’s leadership and tactical acumen shone through, signaling his readiness for even greater responsibilities.

On August 2, that readiness was recognized when KCB Rugby Club appointed Mang’eni as their acting head coach following the departure of veteran coach Curtis Olago, who left after an illustrious 13-year tenure.

Olago’s legacy at KCB is legendary, having guided the team to four consecutive Kenya Cup titles, two National Sevens Circuit championships, and a host of other domestic trophies.

The decision to entrust Mang’eni with the reins of the team reflects the club’s belief in his ability to replicate his success as a player in his new coaching role.

Mang’eni’s vision for the club is clear. “I am looking to develop and expose talent. That is my main goal,” he said upon his appointment.

“We want to make memories every time we play. I also want the players to have something to be proud of at the end of it all. We aim to win Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cups that have eluded us in the recent past. I am convinced that we have what it takes to bounce back to where we belong.”

As KCB embarks on a new era under Mang’eni’s leadership, the club is undergoing a transition, and the lineout general is expected to make significant changes to the technical bench and playing unit.

His intent is clear—he has already begun preparations for the 2024/2025 Kenya Cup season, and his drive to return the club to its former glory is palpable.

While Olago’s tenure left an indelible mark on KCB’s rugby legacy, Mang’eni is determined to chart his own course, bringing with him the same grit, determination, and leadership that defined his playing days.

For the fans and players alike, Mang’eni’s presence on the sidelines is a continuation of his enduring love for the game.

The lineout general may no longer be leaping in the air to claim possession, but his influence is as strong as ever—now, he’s commanding from the sidelines, ready to guide KCB to new heights.