MINJIRE DEBUTS FOR THE SIMBAS

Jul 28 • General News, International, Sevens Rugby • 1784 Views • Comments Off on MINJIRE DEBUTS FOR THE SIMBAS

With the Elgon Cup/ Rugby Africa Division 1A looming large, Impala Saracens utility back Ian Minjire (pictured above) has been handed his test debut while Nondescripts lock Ronnie Mwenesi returns to the Simbas after a year long injury layoff as the match day 23 for Saturday’s clash against Uganda was announced in Nairobi on Thursday morning. Also making a return to playing for the Simbas after a long hiatus is former Kenya Sevens international Patrice Agunda.

Team Manager Simiyu Wangila, speaking to the press, said, “ Minjire has had a standout league season, playing a key role in steering Impala to second place in the Kenya Cup, and he definitely caught the eye. Agunda brings experience, is strong offensively and on defense and will certainly light up the Simbas. Mwenesi gives us that muscle we need to bolster the front five. He too has lots of experience and will be vital to our plans on Saturday.

Oliver Mang’eni returns to the squad after missing the Southern Africa tour to work commitments.Other changes to the squad see Lyle Asiligwa return for the first time since the 48-10 hack of the Cranes in Kampala on 4^th June.

Simbas
15. Tony Onyango, 14. Ian Minjire, 13. Nichodemus Barasa, 12. Patrice Agunda, 11. David Ambunya, 10. Nato Simiyu, 9. Edwin Achayo, 1. Moses Amusala, 2. Sammy Warui, 3. Curtis Lilako, 4. Ronnie Mwenesi, 5. Oliver Mang’eni, 6. Brian Nyikuli (captain), 7. Mike Okombe, 8. Tony Owuor
Replacements: 16. Peter Karia, 17. James Kang’ethe, 18. Jospeh Kang’ethe, 19. Simon Muniafu, 20. Max Adaka, 21. Lyle Asiligwa, 22. Isaac Adimo, 23. Innocent Simiyu

*Minjire photo courtesy of Arigi Obiero/The Minister Of Rugby

SIMBAS UNVEIL NEW KIT

The Simbas unveiled their new playing kit ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Africa clash against Uganda which also doubles up as a Rugby Africa Division 1A encounter.

The kit features the KRU’s headline sponsors SportPesa on the front with test partners Tatu City taking up the back of the shirt.

Speaking at the team naming announcement which doubled up as the kit launch, SportPesa representative Yvonne Namai said, “ It is a great pleasure to be part of the rugby fraternity. We are very happy that the first beneficiaries of this partnership are the Kenya Simbas who have been very impressive away from home. We look forward to their first home game this season, moreso as it is SportPesa’s first official interaction with the rugby fraternity.”

Oscar Mango, Kenya Rugby Union Director of National Squads and Elite Performance in his remarks thanked SportPesa for their support, while appreciating the efforts of KRU’s other partners namely Tatu City, communications partner Safaricom and broadcast partner Zuku who will air Saturday’s fixture live. He called on the public to appear in large numbers and cheer the Simbas to victory.
CHIPU PREPARE FOR CONTINENTAL DUTY

The Kenya U19 national team, Chipu, are currently in non residential training in readiness for August’s Rugby Africa Division 1A U19 championships in Namibia.

The team is set to play Northern Suburbs Cubs in a build up match that serves as a curtain raiser to Saturday’s Elgon Cup clash between the Simbas and Uganda’s Rugby Cranes at the RFUEA Grounds.
Kenya Rugby caught up with Head Coach Paul Odera and he shared several insights, starting with team selection for Saturday’s build up, saying, “Team selection for the build up against the Northern Suburbs was dictated by how much effort the players put in both on offense and defense. We are looking to attack and defend well through the duration of the game. “

“ I expect that we will be able to exert pressure, whether we have the ball or not. It will take a lot of skill.”

Chipu squad to face Northern Suburbs
15. Joshua Mwangi, 14. David Keta, 13, Elon Sudi, 12. Steve Anthony Otieno, 11. Steven Keter, 10. Xavier Kipngetich, 9. Michael Kimwele, 1. Brian Ochieng, 2. Joshua Matasi, 3. James Wanjala, 4. William Diffu, 5. Joshua Obayo, 6. Stanley Isogol, 7. Brodie Wanjohi, 8. Gabriel Adero (Captain)

Replacements: 16: Melvin Thairu, 17. Brian Njaga, 18. Roxy Suchi, 19. Charles Tendwa, 20. Byrum Imbuye, 21. Henry Ayah, 22. Bob Otieno, 23. Clinton Odhiambo, 24. Kelly Akeng’o

LEVEL 1 SEVENS COURSES SET FOR WEEKEND

Kenya Rugby Union will hold its first Level one coaching 7s as well as Level one and two officiating 7s. The set programmes will take place over two days: Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July) and will be held at the Harlequin Suites during this period.

The World Rugby Level One 7s coaching has 15 confirmed participants who are all from the Kenya Cup Clubs. They will have three coach educators namely; Mary Ochieng’, Ronald Okoth and Herbert Mwachiru and one trainer; Mike Otieno. The main aim in the 7s coaching is to grow the number of trained coaches countrywide and develop professionals in the field which also guarantees better player performance and development.

The Level one and two 7s match officiating has 13 confirmed match officials of which two are ladies from Nakuru County. These match officials are from all the regions which comes in handy since once the training is over, they will be in a position to spread the knowledge to their various regions. The spreading of this knowledge is what will help Kenya Rugby as well as the country as a whole to develop trained players from across the board.

The target for the match officials is those under the age of 25 so that the country has a guarantee of trained match officials in the years to come. The match official educators are Paul Weloba, Peris Mukoko and Baraza Wanyama as the course trainer who doubles as the man spearheading the whole course is the KRU Training and Education Coordinator John Bosco Muamba.

The training is being held a week before the National Sevens Circuit kicks off and this will give the participants a chance to practice the acquired skills from this particular course when the circuit begins.

OCTOBER START FOR KENYA CUP

The 2016/17 Kenya Cup, Kenya Cup 2, Under 20 and Eric Shirley Shield leagues kick off on Saturday 22nd October with the finals slated for Saturday 6th May 2017.

The top tier Kenya Cup will feature 12 teams playing on a home and away basis with the top six teams qualifying for the playoffs slated to kickoff on Saturday 22 April 2017.

The Kenya Cup 2 league takes over from the Nationwide league as the qualification pathway to the Kenya Cup. It will take the same and form as the top tier league but is devoid of the playoffs, handing the two sides at the close of league play a direct ticket to the top tier.

The 2016/17 Kenya Cup, Kenya Cup 2, Under 20 and Eric Shirley Shield leagues kick off on Saturday 22nd October with the finals slated for Saturday 6th May 2017.

The top tier Kenya Cup will feature 12 teams playing on a home and away basis with the top six teams qualifying for the playoffs slated to kickoff on Saturday 22 April 2017.

Download the fixtures on this link http://bit.ly/2ajfBrr