Elgon Cup: The Duel for Wits and Dominance as Simbas Meet Cranes

It will be a duel of ‘wits and quest for dominance’ on Saturday when Kenya meets Uganda clash for the Elgon Cup first leg clash away in Kampala.

Saturday’s encounter at the Legends Rugby Club will also signal the start of the Simba’s test season which sees them play in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup which this year serves as the African qualifying round for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Simbas head coach Ian Snook has already named his squad which consists of new players making their first debut. They include Patrick Ouko (Homeboyz RFC) Malcolm Onsando (Kenya Harlequins), Andrew Chogo(Kabras Sugar),  Xavier Bett (Impala Saracens) and Joseph Odero of Kabras Sugar.

Familiar faces are Darwin Mukidza, Jacob Ojee (KCB RFC), Peter Karia (KCB RFC), Vincent Mose (Impala RFC), Curtis Lilako (KCB RFC), Tony Onyango (Homeboyz RFC) and Martin Owilah (KCB).

Simbas Patrick Ouko*(Homeboyz), Philip Ikambili (Homeboyz), Joseph Odero* (Kabras), Malcolm Onsando* (Quins), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), George Nyambua (Kabras), Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore), Tony Onyango (Homeboyz), Martin Owilah (KCB), Samson Onsomu (Impala), Isaac Adimo (Quins), Leo Seje (Impala), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Darwin Mukidza, Jacob Ojee (KCB), Peter Karia (KCB), Vincent Mose (Impala), Curtis Lilako (KCB), Andrew Chogo* (Kabras), Davis Chenge (KCB), Xavier Bett* (Impala), Biko Adema (Nondies), Oscar Simiyu (KCB)

Management

Ian Snook (Head Coach), Murray Roulston (Assistant Coach), Dominique Habimana (Forwards Coach), Richard Ochieng (Conditioning Coach), Christopher Makachia (Physio), Simiyu Wangila (Team Manager).

Unfortunately, Simba has not played any competitive fixture they have only been involved in a three days residential camp in Nanyuki.

On the other hand, Uganda’s Rugby Cranes have been training. They have also played two build-up matches against a South African Supa-Babas side in April. They too have been in Jinja training.

Simba won the 2017 Elgon Cup with a 56-51 aggregate courtesy of the first leg’s 23-18 win in Kampala and a 33-33 draw in Nairobi.

According to the Kenya Rugby Union, the second leg will be decided on July 7 when Kenya host Uganda in a Rugby Africa Gold Cup fixture at the RFUEA Ground.

This article has been submitted by David Indeje