Kenya Simbas Head Coach Paul Odera left out renowned top try scorer Collins Injera out of the squad to play in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
He explained that Injera had work commitments even as he retained many players who took part in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Africa Cup in France.
The 30-man squad named on Friday, October 28, will represent Kenya in the final qualification round in Dubai.
The qualifiers are scheduled to take place from November 6 to 18.
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“Dominic Coulson and Andrew Matoka are missing due to academic commitments, Collins Injera and Davis Chenge due to work commitments, Jone Kubu and Derrick Ashihundu miss out on the tournament due to injuries while Vincent Onyala is currently working with the Kenya Sevens team preparing for the 2022/2023 season,” part of the statement read.
The squad has a blend of youth and experience which the coach hopes will be the component in getting the team to qualify.
In the 30-man squad, Odera included two fresh faces to the Simbas, Amon Wamalwa and Joshua Weru.
Wamalwa's inclusion came after a two-year tracking process while Weru was included as he has been exposed to good coaching at every stage of his rugby development.
The team concluded its 10-day residential camps for their preparations on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
Currently, the squad is having its final camp at Pembroke House School in Gilgil to allow the overseas players to gel with the rest of the squad.
The team will be heading to Dubai on November 1, for the Repechage and will return on November 20.
Kenya Simba will kick off their Repechage campaign against USA on November 6, before taking on Portugal on November 12 and will finish with a match against Hong Kong on November 18.
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Kenya Simbas Squad to the RWC Repechage
Patrick Ouko, Edward Mwaura, Andrew Peter, Eugene Sifuna, Brian Waraba, Teddy Akala, Ephraim Oduor, Joseph Odero, Thomas Okeyo, Brian Otieno, Malcolm Onsando, Clinton Odhiambo, George Nyambua, Daniel Sikuta - Captain, Martin Owilah, Bethwel Anami, Joshua Weru, Samuel Asati, Brian Tanga, Samson Onsomu, Geoffrey Ominde, Amon Wamalwa, Jacob Ojee, Timothy Omela, John Okoth, Geoffrey Okwach, Peter Kilonzo, Bryceson Adaka, Beldad Ogeta, Darwin Mukidza and Ian Masheti