RWCQ2023: Ominde handed starting berth as Simbas name squad against USA

In the absence of the first and second choice starting fly halves, Paul Odera, head coach of the men’s national 15s rugby side Kenya Simbas has entrusted Menengai Oilers’ Geoffrey Ominde with a starting berth against USA as the country begins their quest of sealing a historic ticket to the Rugby World Cup 2023.

The Kenya Simbas will be playing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament (The Repechage) slated to take place from 6-18 November 2022 in Dubai.

Played over three match days, Kenya will come up against USA, Portugal and Hong Kong in a round-robin format with the team accruing the most competition points in the four team tournament securing the 20th and final spot at France 2023 where they will take their place in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.

Speaking after making two changes in Ominde and Geoffrey Okwach who starts on the right wing, Odera expressed his delight in how the team is setup ahead of the big opening match.

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“We are happy with how the combinations are coming together, we have no injuries and that is a very good thing. The players are in very high spirits and there is a very good energy within the camp which is a welcome attitude as we head into the first match.

We do need to a have positive mindset as we prepare to meet the highest ranked team in the Final Qualification Tournament,” he said.

Despite the heat in Dubai, Odera backed his side to cope favourably to the conditions due to the final preparations they had leading to the tourney.

“A big advantage is that we were training at altitude for the last two weeks. Altitude and heat are two combinations that have helped us adjust to the weather in Dubai. We have completed our pre-game analysis of our opponents and I can confidently say that we have a game plan that can be effective for us on Sunday afternoon,” he concluded.

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Other changes in the squad will see loose-head prop Andrew Siminyu also feature in this match but coming off the bench together with 19 year old Joshua Weru is set to earn his first cap on Sunday after being named on the bench.

The game will be broadcast live on Supersport.

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The Kenya Simbas squad facing USA on Sunday 6th November

Patrick Ouko 2. Eugene Sifuna 3. Ephraim Oduor 4. Malcolm Onsando 5. Thomas Okeyo 6. George Nyambua 7. Daniel Sikuta 8. Bethwel Anami 9. Samuel Asati 10. Geoffrey Ominde 11. Jacob Ojee 12. John Okoth 13. Bryceson Adaka 14. Geoffrey Okwach 15. Darwin Mukidza

RESERVES. 16. Teddy Akala, 17. Andrew Siminyu, 18. Joseph Odero, 19. Brian Juma, 20. Martin Owillah, 21. Brian Tanga, 22. Timothy Omela, 23. Joshua Weru