Former Kenya international Darwin Mukidza has opened up about his decision to join Menengai Oilers’ technical bench.For him, the opportunity to coach and pass on his experience to younger players was the main attraction.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsMukidza, popularly known as the ‘Smiling Assassin’, joined Oilers as a backs coach. He made his debut on the technical bench during the Christie 7s tournament held at the RFUEA Grounds over the weekend.It proved to be a memorable first week for the former KCB Rugby and Nondies RFC coach, as Oilers went on to clinch their maiden Christie 7s title and their first National 7s Circuit title since 2022.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968574##For Mukidza, however, the decision to move into coaching was driven less by the prospect of trophies and more by his desire to share the knowledge accumulated during his illustrious playing career.“Oilers allowed me to coach, and that is what I love doing. I want to just get that freedom, space and time to coach because I believe I have something that I can really pass down to the younger players,” Mukidza told Mozzart Sport.Mean Machine feted during UoN’s 75th graduation ceremonyHis first assignment could hardly have gone better.“Won the first trophy in my first week of coming in with the guys. It is a nice feeling and the best way to welcome me to the club. I must give credit to the players; they did their job very well,” he added.Mukidza previously coached at KCB Rugby, the club where he also enjoyed a distinguished playing career, before moving to Nondies RFC. Scottish, French sides highlight confirmed teams for Safari7sHis latest move to Oilers represents another step in his transition from one of Kenya’s most accomplished players to a full-time coaching career.The 37-year-old has also quickly settled into life in Nakuru, where Oilers are based.“Nakuru is one of my favourite cities. I am settling in very well, and the club is making sure that I am comfortable doing my work, and I appreciate it,” he said.The only adjustment, according to Mukidza, has been travelling between Nairobi and Nakuru.“The main challenge is just travelling from Nairobi to Nakuru often, but with time I will get used to it,” he said.Kenyan rugby giants to grace international tournament in KampalaDespite his short time with the team, Mukidza believes the changes made ahead of the Christie 7s were largely focused on refining the basics rather than overhauling Oilers’ style of play.“Nothing much changed. We fixed a few basics and how we play on the free balls. It helped us win the tournament,” he explained.The Christie triumph also came as several Oilers players earned recognition at national-team level, something Mukidza welcomed as an important step in their development. Glacious Owino, Lucky Onyango, and John Okoth earned national team call-ups."We are very happy for the call-ups, and of course we wish them well, and we support them as much as we can to make sure they are still winning in person,” he said.For Mukidza, player development extends beyond physical ability and tactical understanding. Brian Tanga reveals next move after calling time on glittering 12-year 7s careerHe believes young players must first develop a strong understanding of the laws of the game if they are to maximise their potential.“For them to get better, they need to know the rules and laws of the game, and from there, depending on whatever the individual is targeting, they can take up coaching, and it is much easier if you understand the rugby laws,” he said.Mukidza’s transition into coaching comes after a career that established him as one of the most accomplished players in Kenyan rugby.He made his international debut for the Kenya Simbas in 2015 against Portugal and went on to earn 47 caps, becoming the national team’s all-time leading point and try scorer.Harrison Mauve reveals why he left Kabras for Kisumu RFCHis final appearance for the Simbas came in November 2022 against Hong Kong during the Rugby World Cup repechage tournament in Dubai. He also represented Kenya’s Sevens team 16 times.One of the defining moments of his international career came in 2022 when he helped the Simbas finish second at the Rugby Africa Cup, narrowly missing out on qualification for the Rugby World Cup.