Kenya 7s coach Innocent Simiyu fired
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 11.05.22. | 21:23
The writing was on the wall for Namcos after poor recent outings.
Following a string of lackluster results with the Kenya national men's sevens rugby side, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has parted ways with head coach Innocent Simiyu with Damian McGrath set to take over the reins.
McGrath boasts of an impeccable CV having previously been at the helm of Germany 7s, Samoa 7s, and Canada 7s where he has achieved commendable success and will have 24 months in Kenya after inking a two-year deal.
Innocent 'Namcos' Simiyu has been fired as the head coach of the National 7s team
— Ochi (@soo_ochieng) May 11, 2022
Damian McGrath who has led Germany, Canada and Samoa takes charge with immediate effect#Shujaa #Kenya7s #KERugby pic.twitter.com/orylkrN41Q
KRU released a statement on Wednesday night to confirm the departure of Namcos as he is popularly known in rugby circles with his coaching staff comprised of Michael Shamiah and Anthony Muchiri also sent packing.
“The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has opted to part ways with Innocent Simiyu, Head Coach of the Kenyan men's national sevens team, Shujaa. Also leaving the Shujaa setup are technical bench members Michael Shamiah and Anthony Muchiri.
We offer our sincerest thanks to Innocent, Michael and Anthony for their tireless efforts and extend our very best wishes for the future,” read KRU’s statement in part.
Simiyu was shown the door after a disappointing outing at the Rugby Africa Men’s 7s Cup where Shujaa finished third and barely scraped through to the 2022 Rugby Sevens World Cup and after deflating performances in the Singapore and Vancouver legs of the HSBC World Sevens Series.
McGrath's immediate task will be in the Toulouse 7s on Friday 20 May with a lot expected of him having led Germany 7s to victory at the World Rugby Challenger Series in Chile in 2020 and previously coached Canada 7s between 2016 and 2019, leading the Canadians to the cup title at the 2017 Singapore 7s.
He has two cup titles to his name after guiding Samoa to the cup title at the 2016 Paris 7s and has also taken charge of England in the 2002 and 2014 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Glasgow as well as the 2005 Rugby World Cup 7s in Hong Kong.
Damian will be assisted by Mwamba RFC head coach Kevin Wambua, who has been a part of the Shujaa setup, to ensure a seamless transition with Geoffrey Kimani returning to the side on his usual Strength & Conditioning role.
Kimani, who is part of the National Olympic Committee –Kenya Elite Performance setup, returns for a fourth stint, having previously served in the same capacity between 2007 and 2011, 2015-16 and 2017-18.
