Odera admits to pressure ahead of Rugby World Cup qualifiers

Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera has admitted to being under pressure ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers as their kick start their journey with a derby against Uganda on Saturday.

The team departed for France where the qualifiers are being held in the wee hours of Wednesday morning after securing a Ksh10M sponsorship from Hildana Lodge.

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Odera who has registered impressive results at the tail end of the Currie Cup First Division admitted that the team is under pressure as he noted that they will not underestimate Uganda.

“Coaching a national team is about pressure, playing for the national team is about pressure, if you can't deal with the pressure at this level it's very difficult to play or to coach. I'm under pressure but it comes with the territory.

This is not like coaching a club side with this there are expectations of the country. To dismiss Uganda will be foolish at the moment, they have done what they need to do quietly, they have been building and working through whatever resources they have,” said Odera.

Simbas have a favourable path to the finals of the Africa Cup which doubles up as the Africa qualifiers to the Rugby World Cup as they will face the winner between Senegal and Algeria in the semis should they get past Uganda.

Odera added that they have done thorough preparations on Uganda and understand the task at hand considering the match will be fiercely contested due to its derby nature.

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“We understand Uganda very well, some players play in Kenya but we also understand the Ugandan mindset and how they approach matches particularly when they play Kenya.

We have done our analysis, the boys have also done their homework and we have put together a script on what we need to do to be successful on Saturday, we have not prepared for Uganda any less than we have prepared for our matches in the Currie Cup,” added Odera.