Lilako, Adaka urge KRU to find Paarwater successor

The Kenya rugby 15s duo Curtis Lilako and Max Adaka have expressed their dissatisfaction in the delay in naming Jerome Paarwater’s successor.

Paarwater parted ways with the Simbas in December last year but the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is yet to name a replacement three months later as the June World Cup qualifiers beckon.

The Kenyans are set to play Namibia, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe and Lilako has pointed out the need to have a coach to steer the team.

“Time is not on our side and the squad should be complete by now so as to offer the necessary competition ahead of the final naming. It’s a tough assignment ahead and we should have no excuses if we fail to prepare,” Lilako said.

Last week, the KRU named an 18-man squad for the qualifiers but Likako insists having a permanent coach should be top of the priority list.

Kabras eighth man, Adaka, backed his sentiments and stated the squad needs more time in order to gel as a team.

“Lower teams like Zimbabwe have already named their coach while other teams have spent enough time together in training so they are better prepared for the qualifiers; something needs to be urgently so we can compete on the same level,” Adaka said.

The Gold Cup winner will get a direct ticket to Japan with second-placed also going to the global bonanza. Both the winner and runner-up will be pooled in pool B with World champions New Zealand, South Africa and Italy.

The Africa Gold Cup will conclude on August 18 with all six teams in action, Uganda entertains Zimbabwe, Kenya heads to Namibia and Tunisia hosts Morocco.

The winner of the competition will not only be crowned African champion but will also secure direct qualification to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with the second placed team joining teams from Europe, Asia and South America in the Repechage process for the final spot at the Rugby World Cup.

Gold Cup Fixtures:

23 June 2018

Namibia v Tunisia

Morocco v Kenya

30 June 2018

Kenya v Zimbabwe

Morocco v Namibia

7 July 2018

Kenya v Uganda

Tunisia v Zimbabwe