Kenyan rugby never goes down without the high energy and rhythmic cheerful songs that bring to life the aura of the game. More to it is the rugby slang language that you can hardly go past especially when attending a sizzling game at the RFUEA grounds. Here is a look at these interesting terms and what they actually mean.

Guoko – physicality.

A good way to put the word into good use is through a full sentence. For instance, ‘alifungua guoko’ meaning he hit someone.

Yumbet – celebratory dance.

Next time we now know what it all means after a team wins in the final whistle and has to crank up some outstanding dance moves.

Kinyozi – Someone good at sidestepping.

No rugby game goes down without some entertaining footwork that leaves the opponent’s ankles almost broken. A good way to put it into action is by saying; ‘fullback wao ni Kinyozi, anwanyoa wote’ meaning their fullback is an incredible side stepper putting everyone to dust.

Dibo – a muscular person

A good way to sum it all up is the African physique that mostly stands out in Kenyan rugby.

Gumboot – a slow player.

Well, speed is definitely not for everyone, even in rugby. Some players are lightning-fast while others simply have their strengths well gifted anywhere else just not quickness.

Butcher man – A player well known for setting up the team for a loss.

I certainly wouldn’t want to have this as my nickname. But yet again, this special term is reserved for the special ones, mostly.

Oshipo – a plump person.

The origins of this word are still highly sorted after more so how it even came to be used in the Kenyan rugby community.

Kulimwa shoka – being dropped (axed) from the team.

Sometimes bad luck may fall on a player and being dropped from the first team can hurt deeply. For others in the reserves or even the so-called ‘benchwarmers’, this actually becomes a blessing in disguise. Finally, a chance of redemption to win the Coach’s heart and get a place in the team. Funny enough the coach also has a nickname; ‘Chesco’.

Ngiri – a player that loves the physical part of rugby and does less thinking.

As funny as it may sound, the game is mostly physical; however, the gentlemen also need to get their in-game calculations pretty well done. Needless to say, as fans of the beautiful game we still love and adore the hard-hitting physical players.

Kurusha panga – a beautiful hand-off.

Don’t you just love the fend offs that have a player tumbling to the ground? Kenyan rugby slang definitely didn’t miss this one out as it always comes in handy just to psyche up the fan base.