NO LET UP AHEAD OF NAMIBIA TIE: Kenya confident of win in Confederation of African Rugby tie in Windhoek

RUGBY KENYA VS SPAIN -KRFU GROUND Kenya Jacob Ojee(R) shield the ball against Joe Hutchinson of Spain during their Rugby test match at KRFU ground in Nairobi on Saturday 18/07/15.Kenya won 36-27.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

As Kenya’s national rugby 15s team departs today for Namibia for the final Africa Cup Division 1A match, the head coach knows too well the task ahead will be daunting.

Kenya need to defeat Namibia in their match on Saturday, a move that will not only guarantee them the African title, but also see them scale three up in the world’s 15s ranking.

Already, head coach Jerome Paarwater has made a single change to the side that beat Spain 36-27. He has replaced injured Kabras Sugar centre Samuel Motari with Strathmore’s Nick Barasa.

Paarwaters said he is confident with the squad that won against Spain, a feat that saw the country move up the world ranking to position 28.

“We are going for nothing but a win.The pressure is on Namibia since they are at home,” said Paarwaters.

Barasa missed part of the international season as he recovered from a wrist injury he sustained during the Kenya Cup semi finals in February.

The team’s manager Wangila Simiyu said it has not been easy for the side, even as they operate on a shoe-string budget.

“I give credit to the Kenya Rugby Union board for supporting us all through. The journey has been tough, working on a tight budget is not easy, but we have managed to pull through to this point.”

“I also want to thank clubs, fans and the players’ families for their support, which has seen the team make it to this point,” said Simiyu.

While explaining why there is only one change in the squad, Wangila said: ”We cannot change a winning team.

Their performance has been good and I give them a rating of 85-90%. It has not been easy playing back-to-back high profile matches and winning, yet the boys have posted positive results.”

KRU director Ian Mugambi, while wishing the team success in their Namibia match, assured that the union is pleased with the team’s performance and will continue supporting the squad.

“It takes a lot to invest in this team and EABL has shown the way. We call on other sponsors to come on board,” Wangila pleaded.