Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater has named a 35-man squad for a training camp ahead of the Elgon Cup first leg, set for November 2, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda.
The squad retains the majority of players from the Rugby Africa Cup campaign, where Kenya finished fourth. A notable inclusion is Ntabeni Dukisa, who has been cleared for test match action having hit the eligibility criteria.
Under Regulation 8.2, a player is eligible to represent a country’s senior fifteen-a-side national team, the next senior fifteen-a-side national team, or the senior national sevens team if they have a genuine, close, and credible national link.
Kabras RFC in an attack. Photo Courtesy/ Adolwa Miliza for Kabras.
This connection can be established if the player was born in the country, has a parent or grandparent who was born there, or has been exclusively registered with a rugby union or body in that country for at least 60 consecutive months prior to playing. This rule allows Dukisa a South African , under specific circumstances, to play for the Simbas.
Kenya Simba receive Kubu boost
Jone Kubu returns to the squad after missing the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup due to surgery, while Bryceson Adaka will miss the Elgon Cup due to injury.
There are no foreign-based players in the squad, with Andrew Siminyu, Malcolm Onsando, and Thomas Okeyo unavailable for the two November test matches. Retained players include Griffin Chao, Amos Obae, Tyson Maina, Quinto Ongo, Emmanuel Silungi (KCB), Ernest Obat Kuke, and Richel Wangila.
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The Simbas will hold a residential camp in Kakamega before traveling to Uganda for the first leg at Kingspark Arena. The return leg will be played in Kenya on November 9, 2024.
Kenya Simbas full squad
1.Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar RFC) 2.Teddy Akala(Kabras Sugar RFC) 3.Hillary Mwanjilwa(Kabras Sugar RFC) 4.Edward Mwaura(Kabras Sugar RFC) 5.Hillary Odhiambo(Kabras Sugar RFC) 6.George Nyambua(Kabras Sugar RFC) 7.Jeanson Misoga(Kabras Sugar RFC) 8.Dan Angwech(Kabras Sugar RFC) 9.Barry Robinson(Kabras Sugar RFC) 10.Alfred Orege(Kabras Sugar RFC) 11.Walter Okoth(Kabras Sugar RFC) 12.Derrick Ashihundu(Kabras Sugar RFC) 13.Eugene Sifuna(Kabras Sugar RFC) 14.Griffin Chao(Kabras Sugar RFC) 15.Ntabeni Dukisa (Kabras Sugar RFC) 16.Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar RFC) 17.Francis Atiti(Menengai Oilers) 18.Abutwalib Wesonga(Menengai Oilers) 19.Elkeans Musonye(Menengai Oilers) 20.Samson Onsomu(Menengai Oilers) 21.Clinton Odhiambo(Menengai Oilers) 22.Beldad Ogeta(Menengai Oilers) 23.Timothy Okwemba(Menengai Oilers) 24.Hibrahim Ayoo(Menengai Oilers) 25.Amos Obae (Menengai Oilers) 26.Tyson Maina(KCB) 27.Michael Wanjala(KCB) 28.Quinto Ongo(Impala RFC) 29.Griffin Musila(KCB) 30.Wilhite Mususi(KCB) 31.Emmanuel Silungi(KCB) 32.Brian Wahinya (KCB) 33.Ernest Obat Kuke (KU Blakblad) 34.Richel Wangila (Kenya Harlequin) 35.Paul Mutsami(Kenya Harlequin)
