Kenya squad preparing for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers

Kenya are ramping up their training ahead of next month’s last-gasp World Cup Qualifier series in Dubai. The Simbas will open their Repechage tournament against the USA on November 6, followed by Portugal on November 12 and finally Hong Kong on November 18.

Paul Odera’s squad contains 11 players who were in the group that faced Canada at Marseille in 2018. Among them are standout flanker George Nyambua, livewire scrumhalf Samson Onsomu, and World Sevens Series legend Collins Injera. Onsomu has only just returned to the squad after a long layoff.

Injera boosts the squad in the absence of winger Derrick Ashiundu, who has been ruled out after breaking his leg while playing on the local sevens circuit. Time is also against Loosehead prop Ian Njenga who is working his way back from a knee injury. Hooker Griffin Musila is back in training after missing several months with his own knee problem.

Overseas influence is slim. Prop Andrew Siminyu and second row Thomas Okeyo, both dynamic ball carriers, play for the University of Johannesburg. Towering lock Malcolm Onsando is based in Romania, and flyhalf Dominic Coulson is with the University of Exeter in the UK. Fullback Andrew Matoka was due to train with the squad but has instead taken up a scholarship at Principia College in the United States.

Amon Wamalwa has received his first senior call-up after dazzling on the domestic sevens scene. Normally a playmaking halfback, his speed should see him considered as an outside back. Another player to watch is flyhalf or fullback Jone Kubu, who became the first Fijian to play for the Simbas last year after qualifying on residency and attaining Kenyan citizenship.

Odera had hoped to train in South Africa for at least two weeks prior to arriving in Dubai. Funding was proving a challenge, however, and there has been no confirmation to date of the team’s final plans.

LOOSEHEAD PROP
*Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar)
Edward Mwaura (Menengai Oilers)
Andrew Siminyu (University of Johannesburg, SA)

HOOKER
Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar)
Griffin Musila (KCB)
Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar)
Brian Waraba (Kenya Harlequin)

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Ian Masheti (Impala Saracens)
*Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar)
*Patrick Ouko (KCB)
Melvin Thairu (Kenya Harlequin)

LOCK
Shem Joseph (Kabras Sugar)
Brian Juma (Kabras Sugar)
Thomas Okeyo (University of Johannesburg, SA)
*Malcolm Onsando (Dinamo, RO)

BACK ROW
Bethuel Anami (Strathmore Leos)
*Davis Chenge (KCB)
Brian Ndirangu (Menengai Oilers)
*George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar)
Clinton Odhiambo (Menengai Oilers)
*Martin Owilah (KCB)
Daniel Sikuta (Kabras Sugar)

SCRUMHALF
Samuel Asati (KCB)
*Samson Onsomu (Menengai Oilers)
Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar)
Brian Wahinya (KCB)

FLYHALF
Dominic Coulson (University of Exeter, UK)
Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar)
Geoffrey Ominde (Menengai Oilers)

MIDFIELD
Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar)
*Peter Kilonzo (KCB)
John Okoth (Menengai Oilers)
Vincent Onyala (KCB)

OUTSIDE BACKS
*Collins Injera (Mwamba)
*Darwin Mukidza (KCB)
Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Oilers)
Jacob Ojee (KCB)
Geoffrey Okwach (KCB)
Timothy Okwemba (Menengai Oilers)
Amon Wamalwa (Homeboyz)

*part of RWC 2019 qualifier squad