KBL, Rugby Union sign two-year deal as Snook name Gold Cup squad

Kenya Breweries Limited through their Tusker brand has entered into a two-year sponsorship deal with the Kenya Rugby Union, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers set for Casablanca, Morocco.

The deal worth Sh. 53 million will cover a variety of expenses including travel allowances for the Kenya Simbas team heading to the qualifiers.

In an event attended by Simbas head coach, New Zealander Ian Snook, and Tusker brand representative Christine Githinji, the parties unveiled the home playing kits the team will wear in their 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“We are glad to unveil this partnership today with Tusker who have been our long term partners and we hope that we will bring success with it to the loyal fans and the Kenyan rugby at large,” Kenya Rugby Union Director of Rugby Thomas Odundo said.

Tusker’s Marketing Manager Christine Mwaura said:“We are glad to come back to sponsoring our rugby 15s team. Tusker has been associated with Kenyan sports for a long time, and we are hopeful this partnership will be a boost to the boys as they prepare for the qualifiers.”

At the same time,  Snook took the opportunity to name a 23-man squad that travel to Casablanca, Morocco on Thursday, for their first qualifiers away game.

The Africa Gold Cup also doubles up as a 2019 World Cup qualifier. KCB flanker Davis Chenge will skipper the Simbas in Casablanca in the absence of the team captain Wilson K’Opondo who is still sidelined with an injury.

Chenge will start at eighth man and will partner Kabras Sugar George Nyambua at blind side flank while Homeboyz RFC Hooker Philip Ikambili will play at open side flank.

In what is seen as a change of tactic, Kenya Cup top points scorer Darwin Mukidza moves from fullback to fly-half while Nondescript’s Biko Adema will be positioned at full back.

Meanwhile, Homeboyz’s Mohamed Omolo will earn his first cap on a Kenya Simba jersey if he gets a chance to play this weekend.

From the squad that beat Uganda 14 days ago in the Elgon Cup first leg, only loose-head Patrick Ouka, tight-head Joseph Odero, and locks Andrew Chogo, Oliver Mangeni and centres Leo Seje and Peter Kilonzo remain unchanged.

KCB hooker Peter Karia is replaced by Kabras Sugar’s Coleman Were while Onsomu, Chenge and Onyango retain their slots.

Fast rising Impala Saracens half-back Xavier Kipngetich, William Diffu and KCB’s Oscar Sarano – have been left out after sustaining injuries.

Homeboyz RFC Max Kangeri and Zeden Marrow are the latest inclusion to the Ian Snook coached side and will earn their major first cap if they get a chance to play this weekend.

Opening matches of the Africa Gold Cup saw Namibia beat Uganda 55-6 to go top on five points while Zimbabwe and Morocco played a 23-all-draw, earning two points each.

The winner of the competition (2018 Africa Gold Cup) will qualify for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan as Africa 1, joining reigning champions New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and the Repechage winner in Pool ‘B’.

The team jets out at 4.40am tomorrow for Morocco to face the hosts in the Gold Cup face-off

Kenya Simbas

Patrick Ouko 2.Coleman Were 3.Joseph Odero 4.Oliver Mangeni 5.Andrew Chogo 6.George Nyambua 7.Philip Ikambili 8.Davies Chenge 9.Samson Onsomu 10.Darwin Mukidza 11.Edmund Anya 12.Leo Seje 13.Peter Kilonzo 14.Tony Onyango 15.Biko Adema

Substitutes

Peter Karia 17.Moses Amusala 18.Curtis Lilako 19.Samson Onsomu 20.Malcolm Onsando 21.Eric Kerre 22.Mohammed Omollo 23.Max Kangeri 24.Zedden Marrow

Rugby Africa Gold Cup Fixtures

 June 23, 2018

Namibia v Tunisia

Morocco v Kenya

 June 30, 2018

Kenya v Zimbabwe

Morocco v Namibia

 July 7, 2018

Kenya v Uganda

Tunisia v Zimbabwe