*Undated
The National rugby men's 15's squad, Kenya Simbas sees fresh debutants as Brian Wahinya of Blak Blad and Kabras winger Derrick Ashiundu get call ups for the upcoming test matches in South Africa.
Wahinya impressed for Blak Blad in the Kenya Cup plus training session while Ashiundu was a standout performer for the sugar millers as they romped into the Kenya Cup final before losing to KCB. Head coach Paul Odera said after a week and half of intense training, they want to expose young players to elite rugby.
He exuded confidence that the youngsters will not be scared of facing some of the top teams in the four matches. "Yes, the level of excitement is high within the team and we hope the new faces can deliver," added Odera. Nondies forward, Brian Amaitsa was also added to the squad.
Amaitsa, having featured and impressed for Chipu back in 2019 will be making his long awaited debut. The Upper hill Highschool alumnus has a vast array of skill combined with leadership that stem all the way to his early rugby days.
Odera, the former international, said the four matches will sharpen the squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup qualifiers in France next year. “The kind of rugby we will encounter in South Africa will be similar to what we will face in the qualifiers. This will improve our level of competition and make our players battle-hardened for the qualifiers next year,” he said. The tactician said they have improved various areas including breakdowns, accuracy, quick ball from the ruck, territorial kicking and transition from attack to defence. “We had a short training period but in the aforementioned areas, we can challenge our opponents," he explained.
Kabras Sugar's Dan Sikuta will captain the side and will be assisted by KCB utility back Darwin Mukidza and Romania-based lock Malcolm Onsando. The squad leaves tomorrow. They begin their fixtures in South Africa with a tie against the Currie Cup All Stars in the Carling Champions Cup in Pretoria on Saturday before playing in the Stellenbosch Quadrangular series between November 14-20th . They will wind up their tour with a clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on November 25th.
Kenya Simbas Squad:
Forwards:
Ian Njenga (Nondes), Joshua Chisanga (Harlequin), Andrew Siminyu (University of Johannesburg), Eugene Sifuna (Kabras), Griffin Musila (KCB), Boniface Ochieng (Harlequin), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras), Patrick Ouko (KCB), Joseph Odero (Kabras), Malcolm Onsando (Vice Captain, Clubul Sportive Dinamo Bucharest), Thomas Okeyo (Nakuru), George Nyambua (Kabras), Dan Sikuta (Captain, Kabras), Brian Juma (Kabras), Fidel Oloo (Nondes), Steve Sakari (Mwamba) and Elkeans Musonye (Impala)
Backs:
Barry Robinson (Kabras), Brian Wahinya (Blak Blad), Jone Kubu (Kabras), Brian Tanga (Kabras), Derrick Ashiundu* (Kabras), John Okoth (Nakuru), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Samuel Asati (KCB), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Darwin Mukidza (Vice Captain, KCB), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Isaac Njoroge (KCB), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore)
Non Travelling Reserves:
Nesta Okotch (Impala ), Melvin Thairu (Harlequin), Bethuel Anami (Strathmore), Samson Onsomu (Impala ), Timothy Okwemba (Menengai ) and Charles Kuka (Mwamba).