Kenya Simbas have announced their 35-man squad for the upcoming Currie Cup 1st Division matches scheduled to take place in South Africa this April.
Champions Kabras RFC have produced new faces including South Africa born Ntabeni Dukisa, Jeanson Musoga, Walter Okoth, Hillary Odhiambo, Alfred Orege.
The squad features some fresh faces, including Emmanuel Mulla, Thomas Okidia who makes a return after a period of absence, Wilhite Mususi, Ian Masheti,
Elvis Olukusi, Joel Inzuga, Sheldon Kahi, and Timothy Mmasi have also made the cut.
The squad also includes experienced players such George Nyambua, Peter Kilonzo, and Jone Kubu.
Jerome Paarwater charges will begin their campaign on April 1st against the Boland Kavaliers in Cape Town. This will be followed by a trip to Potchefstroom to take on the Leopards on April 8th.
The Simbas will then travel to an as-yet-unconfirmed location to face the San Clemente Rhinos on April 15th, before returning to Eastern Province for an April 29th match against Eastern Province in Gqeberha.
The Simbas’ schedule heats up in May, with two matches on the road. First up is a clash with the Border Bulldogs in Cape Town on May 6th, followed by a trip to Windhoek to face the Namibia’s Welwitschias on May 13th.
The Simbas will then return home to Nairobi for their final three fixtures. On May 20th, the Simbas will take on the Zimbabwe Goshawks at the RFUEA Ground. The Valke will visit the same venue on May 27th, before the Simbas close out their campaign on June 3rd against the SWD Eagles.
This year’s Currie Cup First Division Mzansi Challenge is an important competition for the Simbas, who are looking to build on their previous appearances and make a strong showing against some of the best teams in South Africa and beyond. With nine matches to play, the team will need to be at their best in order to come out on top.
Simbas Currie Cup First Division Mzansi Challenge Fixtures
Simbas v Boland Kavaliers | City Park, Cape Town | 4.00pm | 1 April
Leopards v Simbas | Olen Park, Potchefstroom | 8 April
San Clemente Rhinos v Simbas | Venue TBC | 15 April
Eastern Province v Simbas | Adcock Stadium, Gqeberha | 29 April
Simbas v Border Bulldogs | City Park, Cape Town | 6 May
Windhoek Draught Welwitschias v Simbas | Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek | 13 May
Simbas v Zimbabwe Goshawks | RFUEA Ground, Nairobi | 20 May
Simbas v Valke | RFUEA Ground, Nairobi | 27 May
Simbas v SWD Eagles | RFUEA Ground, Nairobi | 3 June
Kenya Simbas squad for Currie Cup
FORWARDS: Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar), Ian Njenga (Kenya Harlequin), T.J Okidia (KCB), Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar), Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar), Griffin Musila (KCB), Emmanuel Mulla (Menengai Oilers), Wilhite Mususi (Kenya Harlequin), Ian Masheti (Strathmore Leos), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar), Brian Juma (Kabras Sugar), Hibrahim Ayoo (Menengai Oilers), Hillary Odhiambo (Kabras Sugar), Elvis Olukusi (KCB), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Sheldon Kahi (Kenya Harlequin), Brian Ndirangu (Menengai Oilers), Reinhard Mwalati (Masinde Muliro), Jeanson Musoga (Kabras Sugar), Elkeans Musonye (Kenya Harlequin)
BACKS: Samuel Asati (KCB), Barry Young (Kabras Sugar), Brian Wahinya (KCB), Ntabeni Dukisa (Kabras Sugar), Timothy Mmasi (Masinde Muliro), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Walter Okoth (Kabras Sugar), Joel Inzuga (Mwamba), Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Oilers), Alfred Orege (Kabras Sugar), Matoka Matoka (Principia College, USA), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar)
