Blend of experience and fresh blood as Snook name squad for Elgon Cup

KCB RFC, Impala Saracens and Kabras Sugar scooped the lion’s share of positions due to a good outing in the just concluded Kenya Cup as Kenya Simbas head coach Ian Snook named a squad for the Elgon Cup set for this weekend in Kampala.

In the squad are five new players who will bid to earn their first cap .They include Patrick Ouko(Homeboyz RFC) Malcolm Onsando (Kenya Harlequins) , Andrew Chogo(Kabras Sugar),  Xavier Bett (Impala Saracens) and Joseph Odero of Kabras Sugar.

Bett, who is the youngest in the 23-man squad has been exceptional for his local side Impala Saracens relegating to the bench veteran Nato Simiyu.

Bett was also part of the under-19 squad when they scooped bronze in Zimbabwe.

KCB’s Davies Chenge will skipper the Simbas in the absence of long-serving captain Wilson Kopondo who has been ruled out due to personal commitments.

Chenge will be assisted by half-back Samson Onsomu of Imapala Saracens.

Familiar faces such as Darwin Mukidza, Jacob Ojee (KCB RFC), Peter Karia (KCB RFC), Vincent Mose (Impala RFC), Curtis Lilako (KCB RFC), Tony Onyango (Homeboyz RFC) and Martin Owilah (KCB), are also in the squad.

CHARGED LIKE A RHINO:Darwin Mukidza of Kenya Simbas takes a conversion against Germany during their Tatu City Series test match at the RFUEA Grounds on May 27, 2017.he has been feted for a stellar season.PHOTO/Sportpicha
CHARGED LIKE A RHINO:Darwin Mukidza of Kenya Simbas takes a conversion against Germany during their Tatu City Series test match at the RFUEA Grounds on May 27, 2017.he has been feted for a stellar season.PHOTO/Sportpicha

The Elgon Cup return leg will be on July 7 in Nairobi and will double up as Africa Gold Cup qualifiers.

Kenya won the 2017 Elgon Cup with a 56-51 aggregate courtesy of the first leg’s 23-18 win in Kampala and a 33-33 draw in Nairobi.

The Simbas who have been on a three-day high intensity camp in Nanyuki, are gearing up for the Africa Gold Cup and 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

This first game of the season will offer a perfect platform for the Snook led side to test their fitness levels as they warm up for the 2018 Africa Gold Cup, set to double as a qualifying game for the 2019 Rugby World Cup slated for Japan.

Kenya Simba head coach Ian Snook (R) and his assistant Roulston Murray during their unveiling to the public at RFUEA Ground in Nairobi on April 12, 2018. Photo/Kelly Ayumba/Sportpicha

Kenya’s first Africa Gold Cup qualifying fixture will be an away tie against Morocco on June 23.

Kenya Simba squad

Patrick Ouko*(Homeboyz RFC), Philip Ikambili (Homeboyz RFC), Joseph Odero* (Kabras Sugar), Malcolm Onsando* ( Kenya Harlequins), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB RFC), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore Leos), Tony Onyango (Homeboyz RFC), Martin Owilah (KCB RFC), Samson Onsomu (VC) (Impala Saracens), Isaac Adimo (Kenya Harlequins), Leo Seje (Impala Saracens), Peter Kilonzo (KCB RFC), Darwin Mukidza (KCB RFC), Jacob Ojee (KCB RFC), Peter Karia (KCB), Vincent Mose (Impala), Curtis Lilako (KCB RFC), Andrew Chogo* (Kabras Sugar), Davis Chenge (C) (KCB RFC), Xavier Bett* (Impala Saracens), Biko Adema (Nondiescripts), Oscar Simiyu (KCB RFC)

Management:  Ian Snook (Head Coach), Murray Roulston (Assistant Coach), Dominique Habimana (Forwards Coach), Richard Ochieng (Conditioning Coach), Christopher Makachia (Physio), Simiyu Wangila (Team Manager)

Tags:

Kampala KCB RFC Kenya Simbas Elgon Cup Ian Snook dominate squad Impala Saracens and Kabras Suga

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