George Nyambua sets historic Kenya Simbas target after a decade of service

George Nyambua’s journey with the national 15s men's rugby team, Kenya Simbas, has been one of perseverance, resilience, and hope.

The seasoned flanker is marking 10 years of donning the national team colours.

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He currently boasts 43 caps with the team, and given the limited number of matches for the Simbas, earning those caps is an incredible milestone for Nyambua.

The Kabras Sugar RFC captain earned his first national team call-up in 2015. It was, however, not until 2017 that he made his full debut.

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He clocked his first 80 minutes during an international friendly against Germany on Saturday, 27 May 2017, at the RFUEA Grounds.

Though the Simbas narrowly lost 30-29 that day, the match marked the beginning of a solid career for Nyambua, who played alongside some of Kenya’s finest, including Darwin Mukidza, Biko Adema, Wilson Kopondo, and the late Tony Onyango.

“It feels nice to get this far. When I started, I never believed it could get to this point, and I say glory to God for this far.

It is also through hard work and discipline that I have reached where I am today,” Nyambua told Mozzart Sport.

The tactical flanker noted that the road was anything but easy. Despite earning his maiden call-up early in his career, it immediately did not translate into playing time.

“My first days were tough because I came in when the competition was very stiff. The guys in camp had just come from Vodacom in South Africa.

I was just trying to gel, and it took time before I could play for the team,” he explained.

He would go on to make his first appearance in 2016 for Kenya A against Hong Kong, before finally cementing his place in the Simbas’ main squad a year later.

Since then, Nyambua has become a consistent presence in the team, missing only the 2019 season due to an exchange program in South Africa.

He credited his growth to a steep learning curve thanks to the Kabras RFC family.

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“I came from high school in 2013, straight into Kenya Cup with Kabras. During my second season with the club, I got a call-up to the national team. I did not know much about rugby and pitch awareness.

That is why I took some time to play for the national team, but eventually I caught up. I did not give up. I continued working hard, and I believe that I made it in God’s time,” he disclosed.

In April, Nyambua was among the long-serving players honoured during a special Kabras RFC dinner, receiving recognition alongside Brian Tanga, Brian Juma, Jone Kubu, and Asuman Mugerwa for their loyalty and service to the club.

Currently, he is part of the Kenya Simbas squad on a month-long training camp in South Africa in preparation for the Rugby Africa Cup, set for July in Uganda.

But for Nyambua, the dream is far from over.

“What I would love to achieve is to qualify for the World Cup. That is what is always on my mind anytime I am on the pitch. I pray to God every time because we have been working hard as a team.

If we achieve that, I will have achieved everything with the national team. But I will not retire yet,” he added with a smile.

To the younger generation eyeing the game, Nyambua offered a word of encouragement.

“I urge the young guys who are looking up to us to join rugby. This is a nice sport. It helps, and this is the only place where we enjoy on the pitch,” he concluded.