Blow to Simbas as Odera waves goodbye ahead of qualifiers
Rugby
By
Washington Onyango
| Jul 28, 2021
Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera has resigned from his role, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) confirmed yesterday.
The union announced Odera’s resignation through a statement on their website but without giving reasons for his decision to step down.
“The Kenya Rugby Union Board has accepted Paul Odera’s resignation from his role as Head Coach of the Kenya Men’s National Fifteens Team, The Simbas,” said KRU.
“The Kenya Rugby Union would like to extend its sincere thanks to Paul for his exemplary service during his time with the Kenya U20s and most recently, the Simbas.”
“We wish him well in his future pursuits,” the statement concluded.
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Odera was appointed as head coach in May 2019.
He took over from New Zealander Ian Snook who parted ways with Simbas after the Repechage campaign in France where they finished bottom and failed to qualify for the World Cup.
During his short stint, Odera led Kenya Simbas to retain the Elgon Cup and a second-place finish in the 2019 Victoria Cup.
Odera then guided Kenya Simbas in the 2021 Rugby Africa Cup Pool B matches where they side finished second after one win.
He resigned weeks after leading Kenya Simbas to 2022 Rugby Africa Cup quarterfinals that doubles up as the final qualification for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Kenya have been drawn against Uganda in the last eight.
The former U19 tactician was working alongside Jimmy Mnene (Team Manager), Ben Mahinda (Team Physiotherapist), Edwin Boit (Team Analyst), Michael Owino (Strength and Conditioning Coach) and Albertus Van Buuren (Backs Coach)