SIMIYU NAMES SEVENS TEAM: Khayange, Biko dropped as Namcos hits ground running

Kenya's Biko Adema (R) keeps the ball against Scotland's Michael Fedo (L) during their rugby sevens world series, Tokyo Sevens 2013 match in Tokyo on March 30, 2013. Scotland beat Kenya 12-0. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

Newly appointed Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu has already hit the ground running by naming a provisional 25-man squad ahead of the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series season.

The former Kenya Sevens and 15s skipper retained majority of the players who featured in last season’s Series as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics. They include Kenya Commercial Bank captain Andrew Amonde, leading all time world rugby try scorer Collins Injera, Nakuru duo of Oscar Ouma and Nelson Oyoo, Willy Ambaka, Frank Wanyama (Kenya Harlequin), Samuel Oliech (Impala), Billy Odhiambo, Dennis Ombachi (Mwamba), Bush Mwale, Oscar Ayodi, Augustine Lugonzo and Leonard Mugaisi (Homeboyz).

Conspicuously missing from the squad that was selected on Saturday at the RFUEA Grounds is veteran Humphrey Khayange and Nondescript fly half Biko Adema.

However, Simiyu has handed the youthful trio of Elton Isiaho (Strathmore), Aluda Beda (Kabras Sugar) and Derrick Mayar (Impala) their maiden national team call-ups as well as recalling Harlequin kicker Eden Agero, KCB star Darwin Mukidza and Kabras’ Dan Sikuta.

The squad which is expected to travel to Namibia for a one week training camp on November 12 will be further whittled down 20 players this week ahead of the Dubai Sevens, the opening round of the World Rugby Sevens Series, on December 2-3.

In an interview with Feverpitch, Simiyu defended his selection and exuded confidence the team will do well in the upcoming assignments.

“This is a strong team with a good mix of experience and youth. It is a team that was selected during the National Sevens Series and my job was only to trim it down. We had trials over the weekend and managed to select the 25 players. We will now see how they respond in training before naming the final 20. But I am confident they will do well. We are planning for a one week tour to Namibia on the second weekend of November,” said Simiyu.

Commenting on the inclusion of many youthful players in the squad, the former Impala man said: “They are exciting and very promising players who deserves a chance to play for the national team. We have given them an opportunity to see if they are indeed up to the task.”