FINAL SEVENS TEAM NAMED: Namcos settles on squad for World Series as Kenya Cup kicks off

Kenya's Collins Injera runs with the ball during a HSBC Paris Sevens Series rugby match between Kenya and Portugal at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on May 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / THOMAS SAMSON

Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu has named his final 21-man squad contracted by the Kenya Rugby Union for the upcoming 2016/17 Sevens World Series season.

Simiyu has retained 14 of the players that featured in the team that finished seventh on the log last season while handing recalls to Kabras Sugar’s Dan Sikuta,Cyprian Kuto (Homeboyz) and KCB’s Martin Owila.

While Mwamba’s Dennis Ombachi, Elton Isiaho, Alex Olaba (Strathmore) and Ian Minjire (Impala) have been dropped, the quartet of Brian Tanga, Aluda Beda, Derek Mayar and Darwin Mukidza are all in line for their World Series debut this season.

Sixteen of the final squad led by captain Andrew Amonde are expected to depart for Namibia on Monday for a week’s training camp ahead of the invitational Safland Sevens tournament slated for November 12-13 in the coastal city of Swakopmund.

This will be part of the team’s preparation ahead of the Dubai Sevens, the first leg of the Series scheduled for December 2-3.
Those who will be left behind for the Namibia tour include leading all time world rugby try scorer Collins Injera, Sammy Oliech, Cyprian Kuto, Alvin Otieno and Oscar Ayodi.

Meanwhile, expectations are high as the new Kenya Cup League season kicks off today with six matches on the card across the country.

Champions Kabras Sugar begins their title defence with a clash against Mean Machine in Kakamega as last year’s losing finalists Impala welcome Nondescripts at Impala Club.

Although Impala Director of Rugby Fred Ollows is braced for a tough season,he expects his players to carry their splendid preseason form into the new campaign.

“The league is bound to be very competitive. Teams are looking stronger and fitter at this point of the Season, compared to last year – which, make no mistake, was already quite competitive. At this stage, the only sensible goal is to make the knockout cut. Incidentally, we’re grateful that KRU has listened to our concerns to reduce the length of the league,” said Ollows, whose sided ended their six-year Impala Floodlit tournament title drought last month.

They are views shared by Strathmore coach Mitch Ocholla ahead of their 2pm, early kick off encounter against Homeboyz at Impala.

“This season’s Kenya Cup will be sizzling hot. The teams are doing a great job. There are no teams that have been promoted which makes the competition stiffer. Its good that we retained the conference system that affirms continuity for the league. It will be very competitive especially after watching the Floodies," said Ocholla.

The new look KRU Championship also starts today as a qualification pathway to next season’s top tier Kenya Cup league.

The 12-team competition has adopted the same format as the Kenya Cup with two pools, home and away as well as crossover fixtures prior to the top six knockout stage.

Kenya Sevens squad: Andrew Amonde (KCB, Captain), Martin Owila, Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Dan Sikuta, Brian Tanga, Aluda Beda (Kabras Sugar), Cyprian Kuto, Alvin Otieno, Oscar Ayodi, Bush Mwale, Leonard Mugaisi, Augustine Lugonzo (Homeboyz),Sammy Oliech, Derek Mayar (Impala), Oscar Ouma, Nelson Oyoo (Nakuru), Frank Wanyama, Eden Agero, William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Billy Odhiambo, Collins Injera (Mwamba)