Victoria Cup: Kenya Simbas train guns on Uganda Cranes with 2023 title on the line

On Sunday, 5 November, Kenya Simbas will tackle Uganda Cranes in an East African derby scheduled for the King’s Park Arena in Bweyogerere, Kampala form 4:00 pm EAT.

Simbas are just hours away from being crowned the 2023 Victoria Cup champions in a fierce match that will also mark the start of the Elgon Cup.

This is the first time the two sides are facing off since the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Africa qualifier played in July last year, in France, where Kenya mauled Uganda 42-7.

The annual Elgon Cup was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled.

The last time they met in the Elgon Cup, the Simbas beat Uganda 16-5 at the Kyadondo Grounds to win the fourth consecutive title. They have suffered one loss and shared spoils once in the last 10 meetings.

Kenya leads the overall head-to-head in matches played between the two teams pre and post-Elgon Cup with 26 wins while Uganda has registered 12 wins.

Kenya Simbas run

Kenya Simbas head to this match as favorites having competed in the Currie Cup matches in May. The Simbas played five matches in the 2023 Currie Cup winning two and losing three. They beat Border Bulldogs (30 -26) and Zimbabwe (48-7) and lost 33-22 to San Clemente Rhinos (18-7) to Eastern Province, and (35-28) to Weltschitias of Namibia.

Simbas failed to honor their final two matches against Valke and South West District Eagles (SWD) due to financial constraints.

Simbas anticipating intense clash against Uganda in Victoria Cup decider

Kenya, the inaugural champions in 2010, currently leads the standings with 5 points. They opened their campaign with a 36-12 victory over Zambia at the Kyadondo Rugby Club on November 1. With a +24 points difference, they are determined to avoid defeat against Uganda to end a 13-year title drought.

The assistant coaches, Carlos Kyatwa and Curtis Olago have also picked a squad that is a mix of youth and experience.

Reinhard Mwalati, Wilhite Mususi, and Walter Okoth are the three changes for the Simbas ahead of their Victoria Cup title decider. Mwalati and Okoth make their test debuts in this fixture.

Mwalati, part of the Kenya U20 squad that won the 2021 Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy slots into the openside flank on his test debut, starting ahead of Elkeans Musonye in a back row that sees skipper George Nyambua at blindside with Jeanson Misoga at number eight.

Mususi, another former Kenya U20 international starts at tighthead ahead of Hillary Mwanjilwa in a front row that also features Ephraim Oduor and Teddy Akala as Hibrahim Ayoo and Hillary Odhiambo complete the second-row pairing.

Walter Okoth slots into the inside center position, part of a midfield pairing that also features Bryceson Adaka. Alfred Orege, Joel Inzuga, and Jone Kubu round off the back three as Barry Young and Brian Wahinya are retained as the half-back pairing. Andrew Matoka misses out on the match-day squad after sustaining a knock in training while Derrick Ashiundu is rested.

The Simbas will be hoping that Fijian-born playmaker Kubu will stay on top of his game as he has been in previous encounters. Kubu was awarded the Man of the Match award in the opening match against Zambia where Simbas roared 36-12 past the Zambians.

Should players like captain Nyambua, Wahinya, Akala, and Hillary carry a similar form from their Zambian clash, they will give the Simbas an upper hand.

Uganda Cranes run

Uganda secured a bonus point win over Zambia, defeating them 30-8 in the tournament’s opening match last weekend. This victory earned them five points with a +22 points difference. They eagerly anticipate facing their fierce rivals in this match.

They will rely on the leadership and experience of Ivan Magomu and Micheal Okorach, as well as the enthusiastic crowd in Bweyogerere, to clinch a victory.

The Rugby Cranes have made four changes in their squad to face Kenya.

Asuman Mugerwa starts at tighthead prop, stepping in the shoes of Collins Kimbowa who rests. Moses Zziwa and Sydney Gongodyo replace Joaquim Chisano and Mark Omoding. Youngster Shakim Ssembusi steps out as Joseph Oyet starts from the wing.

The winner at the sound of the final whistle will be crowned 2023 Victoria Cup champions, dethroning current holders Zimbabwe who did not participate in this year's edition.

Last 10 meetings between Simbas and Cranes

July 2, 2022: Simbas 42-7 Cranes

July 13, 2019: Cranes 5-16 Simbas

June 22, 2019: Simbas 13-16 Cranes

June 7, 2018: Simbas 38-22 Cranes

May 26, 2018: Simbas 34-16 Cranes

June 24, 2017: Simbas 33-33 Cranes

June 10, 2017: Simbas 45-24 Cranes

June 4, 2016: Simbas 48-10 Cranes

July 10, 2013: Simbas 51:11 Cranes (Non-Elgon Cup)

June 22, 2013: Simbas 19:13 Cranes

Simbas v Uganda 15. Jone Kubu, 14. Joel Inzuga, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. Walter Okoth, 11. Alfred Orege, 10. Brian Wahinya, 9. Barry Young, 1. Ephraim Oduor, 2. Teddy Akala,3. Wilhite Mususi, 4. Hibrahim Ayoo, 5. Hillary Odhiambo, 6. George Nyambua (Captain), 7. Reinhard Mwalati, 8. Jeanson Misoga REPLACEMENTS 16. Emmanuel Otieno, 17. Thomas Okidia, 18. Hillary Mwanjilwa, 19. Brian Ndirangu, 20. Peter Waitere, 21. Elkeans Musonye, 22. Dan Ang’wech, 23. Paul Mutsami