Apart from Shujaa and Simbas, very few people are aware of the existence of the Kenya Rugby league national men’s team and the different types of rugby played by the three sides.
However despite being little-known, the Kenya Rugby League stars made history by clinching a bronze medal at the just concluded Middle-East Africa Rugby Championship staged in Accra, Ghana.
The side which was coached by John Mbai, walloped Cameroon 16-0 over the weekend to win a bronze medal in their maiden international appearance.
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Kenya’s tries were scored by Joel Inzuga, Philemon Olang and Lucky Byron with the latter bagging two tries.
In their first match, the national side were humbled by hosts Ghana 26-6 in a one-sided encounter.
Kenya’s participation in the tournament was confirmed days before kick off after the withdrawal of North African representatives and 2019 runners-up Morocco.
The tournament was won by Nigeria who thrashed hosts Ghana 30-4 in the process defending the title which they won in 2019.
The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the pandemic that caused havoc around the globe.
After clinching the title, Nigeria will now take part in the next qualification tournament in which the winner will book a slot in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup to be staged in France between October and November, 2025.
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