‘This is the final’ – Odera beats war drums ahead of Simbas’ clash against Uganda

The men’s national rugby 15s head coach Paul Odera has indicated that the Kenya Simbas will not leave anything to chance when they lock horns against eternal rivals Uganda on Saturday 2 July when they begin their qualifying quest for the 2023 Rugby World Cup at the Stade Maurice-David, France.

Ahead of the East African derby, Odera has assured that the team will approach the quarter final match like a final and give it the attention it needs especially due to the recent improvements the opponents have made in their game.

“The reality is, it is knockout rugby. So we lose the quarterfinal, we are out. The approach is that we are playing a knockout match against a very dangerous opponent who are also good. In fact, the mantra in camp has been this is the final, so that is exactly how we are approaching the game,” the head coach said.

With the longstanding sporting rivalry between the two nations, Odera noted that the team has made the adequate preparations to counter the threat posed by Uganda Cranes who tend to raise their game especially when they play against Kenya.

“Our preparations to play Uganda are like our preparations for the best team. Uganda is a very dangerous team, particularly when they play Kenya. They would rather lose against anyone but when it comes to Kenya, they raise their game at least ten (or) fifteen per cent,

We have watched the videos and we have done our analysis. They are quite strong and of course, they have improved from last year when we saw them play Algeria and Ghana,” Odera said.

In the eight team 2022 Rugby Africa Cup, which acts as the African qualifying tournament for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, both Kenya and Uganda are eyeing to go all the way in booking their ticket to a first ever World Cup tournament.

Simbas 28-man final squad.

Fowards

Andrew Siminyu (University of Johannesburg), Edward Mwaura (Menengai Oilers) Eugene Sifuna( Kabras Sugar), Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar), Brian Waraba (Kenya Harlequin), Patrick Ouko (KCB), Ephraim Oduor( Kabras Sugar), Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar), Davis Chenge (KCB), Brian Juma (Kabras Sugar), Thomas Okeyo( University of Johannesburg), Malcom Onsando (CS Dinamo Bucuresti), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Bethwel Anami(Strathmore Leos), Daniel Sikuta(Kabras Sugar), Martin Owillah(KCB)

Injera - Rugby World Cup qualification will have a huge impact on Kenya's image

Backs

Samuel Asati (KCB), Brian Tanga, Jone Kubu (Kabras), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore Leos), John Okoth(Menegai Oilers), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Vincent Onyala(KCB), Bryceson Adaka(Kabras), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras), Dominic Coulson (University of Exeter, England), Darwin Mukidza(KCB)

Quarter Final Pairing

Friday 1 July

QF 1: Namibia vs Burkina Faso

QF 2: Zimbabwe vs Ivory Coast

Saturday 2 July

QF 3: Senegal vs Algeria

QF 4: Uganda vs Kenya

Semi-Final Pairing

Winner QF 1 vs Winner QF 2

Winner QF 3 vs Winner QF 4