Kenya Simbas reveal provisional squad for Rugby World Cup qualifiers

In what is their final shot of making a maiden appearance at the Rugby World Cup, the national men’s rugby 15’s head coach Paul Odera has named a provisional squad for the Repechage tournament.

Odera has named a 38-man Simbas training squad for the final qualification tournament taking place in Dubai from 6th to 18th November.

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Kenya missed out on a direct ticket to the intercontinental showpiece after losing the final of the Africa Cup to Namibia who sealed their seventh consecutive appearance at the World Cup.

Majority of the squad that took part in the Africa Cup have been maintained bar, Derrick Ashiundu who suffered an injury in the Kakamega 7s and prop Ian Njenga who suffered an injury in South Africa.

Simbas were included in the Currie Cup First Division last season in readiness for the Africa Cup and hosted two games in Nairobi against Eastern Province Elephants and Leopards.

Following an impressive National Sevens Circuit where he finished as the top try sorcerer, Amon Wamalwa has been drafted in the squad while KCB’s Geoffrey Okwach who also dazzled in the circuit joins the team.

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The call up will be emotional for Wamalwa who was diagnosed with a heart condition hours before making his debut for Kenya Under 20 in the 2021 edition of the Barthes Cup.

Kenya will face Hong Kong, the USA and Portugal in a round-robin tournament that will see the winner at the end of the tournament qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 and join Pool C

FORWARDS

Edward Mwaura (Menengai Oilers), Melvin Thairu (Kenya Harlequin), Andrew Siminyu (University of Johanesburg), 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),Malcolm Onsando (CS Dinamo Bucaresti, Romania),Thomas Okeyo (University of Johannesburg), Brian Juma (Kabras Sugar), Shem Joseph (Kabras Sugar), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Bethuel Anami (Strathmore Leos), Daniel Sikuta (Kabras Sugar), Martin Owilah (KCB), Clinton Odhiambo (Menengai Oilers), Brian Ndirangu (Menengai Oilers)

BACKS

Samuel Asati (KCB), Brian Wahinya (KCB), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar), Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar), Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Oilers), John Okoth (Menengai Oilers), Timothy Okwemba (Menengai Oilers), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Geoffrey Ominde (Menengai Oilers), Amon Wamalwa (Homeboyz), Geoffrey Okwach (KCB), Andrew Matoka (Principia College, USA), Dominic Coulson (University of Exeter, England)