S. Ochieng2023 RWCQ: Kenya Simbas eye history ahead of tough Namibia test
Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 10.07.22. | 12:22
The 15s side will qualify to a Rugby World Cup tournament for the very first time in history should the beat Namibia
The men's national rugby 15s side Kenya Simbas will be eyeing some piece of history on Sunday evening when they take on Namibia in the final match of the 2022 Rugby Africa Cup that takes place at the Stade Maurice-David in Aix-en-Provence, France.
In the tournament that doubles up as the African qualifying tournament to the 2023 Rugby World Cup which will be held in France, Simbas could secure a ticket to the showpiece event for the very first time in the country's history should they secure a win against a Namibian side that has time and again proved to be a huge stumbling block for Kenya.
Kenya Simba's squad taking on Namibia looking sharp!
— #SupportTheSimbas (@KenyaSimbas) July 9, 2022
Kick off is tomorrow at 10:00pm and you can watch the game live on @K24Tv #SupportTheSimbas #SimbasToRWC #StayAtTheHildanaLodge pic.twitter.com/mbkZ87lFRt
Out of the thirteen previous times the two sides have met, Simbas have only won twice, in 2006 and 2014, with the Welwitschias picking straight victories in the remaining eleven clashes.
This time though, some sense of optimism clouds the Paul Odera coached side heading into the latest outing. After a three month long preparation in the South African Currie Cup Division One tournament, the Simbas face Namibia with belief that they can fork out the most important result for the team on a fourteenth meeting between the two sides.
Sunday’s Rugby Africa Cup final will mark the 14th test between Kenya and Namibia.
— Michael Kwambo ™ (@michaelkwambo) July 10, 2022
The two sides met in 1993 for the first time during the Rugby World Cup 1995 qualification tournament in Nairobi, the Welwitschias running away with a 60-9 result over the Simbas at the RFUEA.
In the starting squad, the team is boosted by experienced Shujaa legend Collins Injera and KCB ace Vincent Onyala who missed the semifinal clash against Algeria due to slight injuries.
Speaking after the Simbas team naming, Odera said, “Credit to the medical team, Steve Mankone and Dr. James Ondiege who have done a fantastic job with the players. It has been a case of less is more. Yesterday we had an SnC session in the gym and then we had the captain’s run this morning."
Vice-Captain Malcolm Onsando added, “during our captain’s run this morning we ran through our line outs. We had a good session and we can see that everyone is fully switched on and ready for the final."
🏁 𝗟𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹
— Rugby World Cup France 2023 (@France2023) July 9, 2022
Qui de @RugbyNamibia ou @OfficialKRU rejoindra la Poule A de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023 ?
Vos places disponibles sur : https://t.co/Y4pnsnAife
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Who of Namibia or Kenya will join Pool A of #RWC2023? #RAC2022 | #rugby | @TotalEnergies pic.twitter.com/YlPH2fyucr
The winner of this encounter secures their spot in Pool A of the 2023 RWC as Africa one while the other gets a second chance with the repechage set for November.
Head to Head Record
1993: Kenya 9 Namibia 60 - Nairobi
2003: Kenya 10 Namibia 32 –Nairobi
2003: Kenya 10 Namibia 38 - Nairobi
2004: Namibia 65 Kenya 7 - Windhoek
2006: Namibia 84 Kenya 12 - Windhoek
2006: Kenya 30 Namibia 26 - Nairobi
2013: Namibia 55 Kenya 35 - Windhoek
2014: Namibia 22 Kenya 29 - Antananarivo
2015: Namibia 46 Kenya 13 - Windhoek
2016: Namibia 56 Kenya 21 - Windhoek
2017: Namibia 45 Kenya 7 - Windhoek
2018: Namibia 53 Kenya 28 – Windhoek
2021: Namibia 60 Kenya 24 - Stellenbosch
Simbas line up: 1. Patrick Ouko 2. Eugene Sifuna 3. Ephraim Oduor 4. Malcolm Onsando 5. Thomas Okeyo 6. George Nyambua 7. Daniel Sikuta 8. Bethuel Anami 9. Samuel Asati 10. Dominic Coulson 11. Collins Injera 12. John Okoth 13. Vincent Onyala 14. Jacob Ojee 15. Darwin Mukidza.
Impact players: 16. Teddy Akala 17. Edward Mwaura 18. Joseph Odero 19. Davis Chenge 20. Martin Owilah 21. Brian Tanga 22. Jone Kubu 23. Bryceson Adaka.
Namibia: 1. Des Sethie 2. Thorsten van Jaarsveld 3. Aranos Coetzee, 4. Adriaan Ludick, 5. Johan Retief, 6. Wian Conradie 7. Janco Venter,8 Adriaan Booysen 9. Daman Stevens, 10. Cliven Loubser, 11. Gerswin Mouton, 12.Danco Burger, 13. Johan Deysel (captain) 14.JC Greyling, 15.Divan Rossouw
Replacements: Louis van der Westhuizen, Jano Otto, Jason Benade, Ruan Ludick, Prince Gaoseb, Hilarius Kisting, PW Steenkamp, Alcino Isaacs,
