Rugby: Odera names final Kenya Simbas squad for Currie Cup

Kenya Simbas' Ephraim Oduor (left) square a dispute with Kaman Gassam of Senegal Droit during the Rugby Africa Cup Pool B at the Nyayo National stadium on Saturday, July 3, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera on Wednesday named the final 32-man squad for the Currie Cup First Division in South Africa.

Simbas will play its first match against Valke Falcons on Saturday.

Kabras Sugar RFC's Dan Sikuta will captain the squad alongside Impala’s Elkeans Musonye and KCB’s Darwin Mukidza.

Menengai Oilers quartet Edward Mwaura, Clinton Odhiambo, Beldad Ogeta, Geoffrey Ominde are set for their debut in South Africa.

Other players set to make their debut include Kenya Harlequin Brian Waraba. Coleman Were, Oliver Mangeni are back on the squad.

Brian Ndirangu and Collins Injera are expected to link up with the side later in the campaign.

Besides Kenya and Georgia, Zimbabwe have been invited to the competition that will end on June 25 this year.

Kenya will join seven other teams from South Africa in the competition that starts on Thursday.

The other teams are defending champions Leopards, Down Touch Griffons, Valke Falcons, Boland Cavaliers, Eastern Province Elephants, Border Bulldogs and South Western Districts (SWD) Eagles.

The squad:

Ian Njenga, Edward Mwaura, Andrew Siminyu, Coleman Were, Brian Waraba, Patrick Ouko, Ephraim Oduor, Joseph Orero, Brian Juma, Oliver Mangeni, Thomas Okeyo, Clinton Odhiambo, Joseph Shem, George Nyambua, Bethwel Anami, Brian Amaitsa, Dan Sikuta, Elkeans Musonye, Samuel Asati, Brian Tanya, Brian Wahinya, Jone Kubu, Matoka Matoka, Timothy Omela, Beldad Ogeta, John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, Peter Kilonzo, Derrick Ashiundu, Jacob Ojee, Darwin Mukidza, Geoffrey Ominde 

Carling Currie Cup Fixtures

 Valke vs Kenya Simbas- April 9

 Kenya Simbas vs Zimbabwe Goshwaks -April 23

 Downtouch Griffons vs Kenya Simbas- April 30