By Khalifa Hemed
Published March 31, 2018
Kenya has selected 35 men as it prepares to compete in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup which will also double up as the African qualifying round for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) that manages rugby football matters in the East African country has named Kabras loosehead Joseph Odero and Blak Blad fly half Levy Amunga alongside seven first time inclusions – Coleman Were, Patrick Ouko, Peter Waitere, Michael Wanjala, Mohamed Omolo, Johnstone Mung’au and Aggrey Kitoi–to the squad from which the national team, the Simbas, shall be drawn.
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Moses Amusala (KCB), Joseph Odero (Kabras), Oscar Simiyu (KCB), Curtis Lilako (KCB),Dennis Karani (Impala), Patrick Ouko (Homeboyz), Philip Ikambili (Homeboyz), Peter Karia (KCB), Coleman Were* (Kabras), Wilson Kopondo (Quins, Capt),Simon Muniafu (Sporting Club Decazevillois, France), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Eric Kerre (Impala),Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore), Davis Chenge (KCB), George Nyambua (Kabras), Martin Owila (KCB), Steve Otieno (Homeboyz), Peter Waitere (KCB) shall train for the forward position while Samson Onsomu (Impala), Michael Wanjala* (KCB), Mohamed Omollo* (Homeboyz), Nato Simiyu (Impala), Levy Amunga (Blak Blad), Biko Adema (Nondescripts), Dennis Muhanji (Quins), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Leo Seje (Impala), Brad Owako (Mwamba), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Johnstone Mung’au (Kabras), Aggrey Kitoi (Kisii), Tony Onyango (Homeboyz), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Vincent Mose (Impala) shall play in the back position.
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This comes following the appointment of Ian Snook as the Head Coach of the Simbas, Kenya 15s national team, in mid March.
In appointing Snook in mid March, KRU said the New Zealander ‘brings with him a vast wealth of experience, having served in various high profile coaching and consulting capacities in New Zealand, Australia, England, Ireland,Laos, Japan, Croatia,Italy and South Africa’.
Snook’s assistant is Murray Roulston who also comes from New Zealand and who has previously served on the coaching staff of Super Rugby side Highlanders and also served in various coaching and consulting capacities in New Zealand, Japan, Trinidad & Tobago and Romania.
The technical team comprises Dominique Habimana, Charles Ngovi, Richard Ochieng, Chris Makachia and Simiyu Wangila.
Meanwhile, KRU says it is targeting a series of build-up matches against European opposition in the run up to the Rugby Africa Gold Cup which doubles up as the 2019 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers.
