The Kenya Rugby Union has named a 28 man squad that will represent the country in the upcoming Rugby Africa Championships which will take place next week in Uganda.
The team, selected by head coach, South African Jerome Paarwater consists of several names from the victorious unbeaten Kabras Sugar squad that won both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup this season, with nearly a half of the squad, meaning 13 players representing the sugar men from Kakamega.
George Nyambua will captain the side just as he did during the recent tour of South Africa.
Fiji born Kenyan Jone Kubu who missed the South African training tour has made the team alongside fellow Kenya sevens trio, John Okoth, Samuel Asati and Brian Tanga. Foreign based players in the squad include David Bunduki, Thomas Okeyo and Bethuel Anami.
Head coach Paarwater is happy with the team and is looking forward to the tournament.
“The guys are looking well prepared and ready for the tournament in Uganda. We’re glad that we don’t have any serious injuries within the team. There have been a lot of lessons learned in South Africa and the players bonded very well with each other and this improves the teamwork both on and off the field,” Paarwater told KRU Media.
Rugby Africa will begin Tuesday 8 July and will end on July 19. Eight teams have qualified for the tournament that will be held at the Namboole Stadium in Kampala.
Kenya, Uganda, defending champions Zimbabwe, Morocco, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Senegal make up the tournament participants.
Defending champions Zimbabwe Sables will kick off the quarterfinal proceedings with a match against newly promoted Morocco on Tuesday, July 8.
Last year’s finalists Algeria will face off against Ivory Coast in the second quarterfinal, followed by former champions Namibia taking on Senegal in the third match of the day. The final fixture of the day will feature a highly anticipated East African derby between Kenya Simbas and hosts Uganda Rugby Cranes.
The winners will take part in the next round on Sunday 13 July with the finalists clashing on July 19. The winner will join South Africa as the flag bearers from Africa at the Rugby World Cup 2027.
Kenya Simbas Squad for Rugby Africa Championships
Loosehead Props
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Ephraim Oduor – Kabras Sugar RFC
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Edward Mwaura – Kabras Sugar RFC
Hookers
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Eugene Sifuna – Kabras Sugar RFC
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Teddy Akala – Kabras Sugar RFC
Tighthead Props
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Wilhite Mususi – KCB RFC
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Vincent Mwikhali – Menengai Oilers RFC
Locks
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Hibrahim Ayoo – Menengai Oilers RFC
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Thomas Okeyo – NovaVit Griffons (South Africa)
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Andycole Omolo – KCB RFC
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Emanuel Silungi – KCB RFC
Blindside Flankers
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George Nyambua – Kabras Sugar RFC
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Patrick Sabatia – Kabras Sugar RFC
Openside Flankers
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David Bunduki – NovaVit Griffons (South Africa)
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Obat Kuke – Blak Blad RFC
Number 8s
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Bethuel Anami – MLSGP 78 (France)
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Elkeans Musonye – Menengai Oilers RFC
Scrum Halves
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Samuel Asati – KCB RFC
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Brian Tanga – Kabras Sugar RFC
Flyhalves
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Barry Young – Kabras Sugar RFC
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Brian Wahinya – KCB RFC
Left Wing
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Griffin Chao – Kabras Sugar RFC
Inside Centres
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Walter Okoth – Kabras Sugar RFC
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Samuel Ovwamu – Menengai Oilers RFC
Outside Centres
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Bryceson Adaka – Kabras Sugar RFC
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John Okoth – Menengai Oilers RFC
Right Wing
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Timothy Omela – Menengai Oilers RFC
Fullbacks
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Jone Kubu – Kabras Sugar RFC
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Derrick Ashihundu – Kabras Sugar RFC