Africa-Press – Kenya. Strathmore Leos’ Bethwell Anami and Mwamba’s George Omolla have been called up to the Kenya Simbas’ 40-man squad for the November Test matches.
Anami has been in outstanding form for the varsity side, leading them to the Kenya Cup playoffs for the first time in six years while Omolla excelled for Mwamba in the season.
While announcing the squad, head coach Paul Odera said the composition of the squad is a continuation of the team that played in the Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Senegal in July and some who played exemplary rugby in the Kenya Cup.
“We based our selection on footage and data of players who played really well against Zambia in the last Test match, the wider training squad, the overseas-based players and a few others who stood out in the Kenya Cup,” added Odera.
The Simbas will play in the Carling Champions match in Pretoria against the top South African professional players on November 6.
They then face Namibia in Quadrangular tournament that will also features Zimbabwe and Brazil in Stellenbosch between November 14 and 20.
The winners of the two semifinal matches advance to the final while the losers play a third and fourth place off match.
The Simbas will also play an international friendly in Bloemfontein on November 25 against an opponent who will be confirmed in due course.
The team has already started training for the upcoming test matches and will have three weeks to fine-tune their preparations.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Oduor Gangla welcomed the additional fixtures in Stellenbosch, saying: “We appreciate the efforts made by World Rugby in ensuring Simbas get to play high profile test fixtures.
The experience and exposure from these Test matches is a vital step in our preparations for next year’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers,”added Gangla.
Provisional squad:
Forwards: Ian Njenga (Nondes), Nesta Okotch (Impala ), Joseph Odero (Kabras), Eugene Sifuna (Kabras), Griffin Musila (KCB), Boniface Ochieng (Quins), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras ), Patrick Ouko (KCB), Melvin Thairu (Quins), George Nyambua (Kabras), Thomas Okeyo (Nakuru), Emmanuel Silungi (Homeboyz), Brian Juma (Kabras ), Joshua Chisanga (Quins), Bethwel Anami Leos), George Omolla (Mwamba), Dan Sikuta (Kabras ), Brian Amaitsa (Nondes), Fidel Oloo (Nondes), Steve Sakari (Mwamba), Elkeans Musonye (Impala ) and Tony Owuor (Mwamba)
Backs:
Samson Onsomu (Impala), Barry Robinson (Kabras ), Brian Wahinya (Blak Blad), Jone Kubu (Kabras), Charles Kuka (Mwamba), Brian Tanga (Kabras), Timothy Okwemba (Menengai Oilers), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras Sugar), John Okoth (Nakuru), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Samuel Asati (KCB), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Michael Kimwele (KCB), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Isaac Njoroge (KCB), Anthony Odhiambo (Impala ), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore).
