Simba eye Spain scalp at RFUEA ground today

KENYA VS PORTUGAL RUGBY FRIENDLY Kenya Rugby 15s team's Michael Okombe dash with the ball as Portugal National Rugby Team's Gonkalo Uva, right, and the referee run to the opposite direction during a friendly game at Harliquins grounds on Saturday, May 30th, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO

Kenya Simba team manager Simiyu Wangila believes the IRB rankings will count for nothing when his side take on Spain in today’s international friendly at the RFUEA Ground.

The tourists, known as Los Leones, are ranked 19th on the World Rugby table standings, 11 places above their hosts Kenya.

Simba have been boosted by the return of Kabras scrum half Edwin Achayo from a long injury lay-off, replacing injured Lyle Asiligwa, while Strathmore Leos back, Samuel Morati, will be making his national team debut this evening.

Former captain Wilson K’opondo, who last featured for Simba in July 6, 2014 in their heart breaking 10-28 loss to Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier, is also back in the fold but will start from the bench. Head coach, Jerome Paarwater, has made one tactical change that will see fullback Sammy Oliech trade positions with his Impala teammate, Vincent Mose, who plays as a fly half.

But having beaten Portugal 41-15 in May, coupled with their good preparation and tactical changes in the team, Wangila is optimistic of a positive result.

“Any team that has come on our soil knows that this is a Lion’s den and when you walk into a lion’s den you don’t expect to be held with velvet gloves, but expect to be mauled and that is exactly what we are going to do today,” said Wangila.

“Against Tunisia, we won by 40 plus and did the same against Portugal who were ranked higher above us. We have had fantastic preparation and, with the mood in the team, we can only improve and make history today.”

His sentiments were echoed by team captain Brian Nyikuli.

“A team being ranked 20th means they really worked hard to get there. Spain are not there by fluke. But I believe in each one of us. We have worked really hard also. The mood right now in the camp is okay and the team is committed to playing for our injured teammate (Asiligwa) and all Kenyans,” said Nyikuli.

Meanwhile, the Kenya sevens team has been paid their outstanding two months salaries, the Kenya Rugby Union has confirmed.

“We have issued cheques to the players. So their outstanding salaries for May and June have been cleared,” Fred Yida, KRU Chief Finance Officer told FeverPitch.

Kenya Squad: Moses Amusala, Samuel Warui, Isaiah Nyariki, Ronnie Mwenesi, Oliver Mang’eni, Brian Nyikuli, Michael Okombe, Joshua Chisanga, Edwin Achayo, Samuel Oliech, Jacob Ojee, Kelvin Omiyo, Samuel Motari, Darwin Mukidza, Vincent Mose, Peter Karia, Curtis Lilako, Davis Chenge, Wilson Kopondo, Robert Aringo, Dennis Muhanji, Isaac Adimo, Lawrence Buyachi.