Nyambua named captain as Kenya Simba unveil Victoria Cup travelling squad
28th October 2023
The team departs on Sunday evening for the 2023 Victoria Cup in Kampala.
- The Simbas are set to kick off their journey with a match against Zambia in Kampala on Wednesday, November 1.
- The team will then be followed by a clash against Uganda on Sunday, November 5.
- The encounter against the Uganda Cranes will also serve as the first leg of the Elgon Cup with the return leg set for November 11 in Kisumu.
The men’s national rugby 15s side Kenya Simbas have unveiled the 25-man squad that will represent the country in the returning Victoria Cup set to be played in Uganda.
Kabras Sugar utility forward George Nyambua has been entrusted with leading the squad that also features four players in line for their Simbas debuts, namely, Paul Mutsami, Peter Waitere, Dan Ang’wech and Emmanuel Otieno.
Majority of the squad that was on duty in the Currie Cup First Division competition has been retained except for Samuel Asati, Beldad Ogeta, Elvis Olukusi who are now committed with the 7s side Shujaa.
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Fijian born Kenyan international Jone Kubu has also been included in the squad alongside Andrew Matoka from Strathmore Leos and KCB’s Brian Waihinya.
Experienced players such as Darwin Mukidza and Daniel Sikuta are also not in the squad with Mukidza having announced his international retirement back in March this year. Eugene Sifuna, David Bunduki and Shem Okola are the three non-travelling reserves.
The Simbas, who have been in residential training in Kakamega, will begin their campaign against Zambia at Kyadondo on Wednesday 1 November 2023 before taking on hosts Uganda on Sunday 5 November 2023 at King’s Park in a fixture that also doubles up as the opening fixture of the Elgon Cup, the cross-border fixture between Kenya and Uganda that has been played since 2004.
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Carlos Katywa and Curtis Aluoch will handle the side in the absence of Head Coach Jerome Paarwater who will link up with the side ahead of the Elgon Cup return match against Uganda in Kisumu on 11 November 2023.
The team departs on Sunday evening for the 2023 Victoria Cup in Kampala.
Simbas squad to Kampala
George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar, captain) Brian Wahinya (KCB), Elkeans Musonye (Menengai Oilers), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras Sugar), Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore Leos), Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar), Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar), Brian Ndirangu (Menengai Oilers), Hibrahim Ayoo (Menengai Oilers), Joel Inzuga (Mwamba), Walter Okoth (Kabras Sugar), Barry Robinson (Kabras Sugar), Jeanson Misoga (Kabras Sugar), Peter Waitere (KCB), Paul Mutsami (Keny Harlequin), Dan Ang’wech (Kabras Sugar), Reinhard Mwalati ( Masinde Muliro), Thomas Okidia (KCB), Wilhite Mususi (KCB), Emmanuel Otieno (Kabras Sugar), Hillary Odhiambo (Kabras Sugar), Alfred Orege (Kabras Sugar)
Non- Travelling Reserves: David Bunduki (Kabras Sugar), Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar), Shem Okola ( Strathmore Leos)
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Management: Carlos Katywa (Coach), Curtis Aluoch (Coach), Richard Ochieng (Conditioning Coach), Gerald Omondi (Physio), Jimmy Mnene (Team Manager)
Simbas Fixtures
Wednesday 1 November 2023 | vs Zambia | Kyadondo Kampala | 1600hrs EAT
Sunday 5 November 2023 | Uganda | King’s Park Kampala | 1600hrs EAT