Simbas name Gold Cup squad for Tunisia face-off

The Kenya Rugby 15’s head coach Ian Snook has  named a 20-man squad to face Tunisia in the Rugby Africa Gold cup match to be played on Saturday at the RFUEA Ground.

Snook made two changes with Willy Ambaka making a comeback to the 15’s side after being influential in the Sevens side during the all ten rounds of the 2017/18 Sevens World Series and Martin Owilah coming in for George Nyambua.

Ambaka has recently played professionally in the 15’s game with Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU) in france, Western Province in South Africa and Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand.

The last time he played for the Simbas it was back in 2014 when they were chasing for a World cup spot in Madagascar as they are doing this year although he was dropped due to injury.

He comes in for Felix Ayange who is rested for this encounter.

Davis Chenge remains the captain with Darwin Mukidza assisting him.

Speaking to Kenya Rugby Union website about the changes, Snook said, “This is a reward for Martin for consistently high levels at trainings and when coming off the bench in previous games. The three selectors. myself, Charles Ngovi and Dominique Habibana all were of the same opinion that he deserved this opportunity.It is a strong position in the team as George Nyambua has been playing really well and has been one of our consistently best forwards. However, this is a team of 35, not 15, and we are still sorting out a squad who would be capable of performing well at the World Cup should the team make it that far.”

He went ahead to comment on Saturdays game against Tunisia.

“Tunisia have been in town all week so will have had plenty of time to fine-tune things and be well prepared.”

Snook praised the team’s character so far as the Gold Cup is concerned.

“In a short time-frame and with no warm-up games at any stage, the character of the players has shone through with three hard earned wins from three games. In each game we have been under pressure at various times and on each occasion the team have made good decisions and performed well at the vital times. Many players have performed really well and there is a strong squad coming together. Lots of hard work has been paying off.”

Simbas play Tunisia on Saturday at 2 pm at the RFUEA Ground

SIMBAS SQUAD TO FACE TUNISIA

15. Vincent Mose (Resolution Impala Saracens), 14. William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin)*, 13. Peter Kilonzo (KCB), 12. Darwin Mukidza (KCB), 11. Jacob Ojee (KCB), 10. Isaac Adimo (Kenya Harlequin), 9. Samson Onsomu (Resolution Impala Saracens), 1. Patrick Ouko (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), 2. Colman Were (Kabras Sugar), 3. Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar), 4. Andrew Chogo (Kabras Sugar), 5. Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), 6. Martin Owilah (KCB), 7. Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore Leos), 8. Davis Chenge (KCB/Captain)

REPLACEMENTS 16. Peter Karia (KCB), 17. Moses Amusala (KCB), 18. Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar), 19.Malcolm Onsando (Kenya Harlequin), 20. George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), 21. Mohamed Omollo, 22. Maxwell Kang’eri (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), 23. Tony Onyango (Menengai Cream Homeboyz)