2023 RWQ: Kenya’s dream still alive as they tackle Algeria in the semis

The national men’s 15s side, Kenya Simbas, are edging ever so closer to a maiden Rugby World Cup appearance with Algeria, who they face on Wednesday 6 July, separating them from a place in the final of the African qualifiers.

Kenya flexed their muscle against arch-rivals Uganda in the quarter-finals, putting them to the sword with a 42-7 whitewash on Saturday to seal a place in the last four where they take on the North Africans.

Rugby World Cup Q: Ruthless Kenya thwack noisy Uganda to book semis ticket

Despite Algeria being 49 places below Kenya as per the current World Rugby rankings, the North Africans are no pushovers having dispatched Senegal 35-12 with the West Africans staging a huge upset in Nairobi against the Simbas back in July 2021 in the Second Round of the qualifiers.

Ahead of the clash, Simbas head coach Paul Odera has been forced into two changes with Kenya 7s all-time try scorer Collins Injera and Vincent Onyala suffering injuries while Martin Owilah comes on as a tactical switch.

Derrick Ashihundu will replace Injera on the left-wing while Bryceson Adaka comes in place of Onyala as Owilah replaces Brian Juma as the substitute lock.

Odera opened up on the reason for his changes as he remained adamant that the boys will mount another strong start to the game just as they did against Uganda.

“There’s a positive mood in camp in spite of the fact that we’ve had to make two changes due to injury. Injera has not been able to shake off an abductor strain that he got during the Uganda match, so Derrick Ashihundu comes in as the starting left wing. He also brings on a different type of rugby to the game, he is strong and quick and we’re excited to see him play in his first test.

Odera admits to pressure ahead of Rugby World Cup qualifiers

Vincent Onyala has an ankle injury which is pain-free at the moment but we didn’t want to risk him due to player welfare. Bryceson Adaka who was our starting 13 in the qualifiers last year comes in as the outside center.

The third change is in the bench where Owilah comes in for Brian Juma. Owilah covers both second row and back row plus he brings with him more speed as opposed to Brian’s power. We are confident in the squad and we believe that they will be able to put pressure on Algeria when the match kicks off,” he concluded.

Should Kenya get past Algeria in the semi-finals they will face either Namibia or Zimbabwe in the finals where the winner will clinch a ticket to the 2023 Rugby World Cup while the runners-up will contest for a final intercontinental playoff.

Kenya Simbas XV: 1. Patrick Ouko, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Ephraim Oduor, 4. Malcolm Onsando, 5. Thomas Okeyo, 6. George Nyambua, 7. Daniel Sikuta – Captain, 8. Bethwel Anami, 9. Samuel Asati, 10. Dominic Coulson, 11. Derrick Ashihundu , 12. John Okoth, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 14. Jacob Ojee, 15. Darwin Mukidza.

Reserves: 16. Teddy Akala, 17. Edward Mwaura, 18. Joseph Odero, 19. Martin Owilah, 20. Davis Chenge, 21. Brian Tanga, 22. Jone Kubu, 23. Andrew Matoka