Cranes face Kenya Simbas wrath in Elgon Cup

Kenya Simbas forward Ronnie Mwenesi steams forward during training at the RFUEA ground on July 28, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Coach Paarwater makes five changes to squad that plays familiar foes
  • Kenya out to complete rout on Uganda at RFUEA and reclaim Elgon Cup

Kenya Simbas will be out to end the Africa Rugby Cup Division 1A campaign on a high when they take on familiar foes Uganda Cranes in their last match of the competition on Sunday at the RFUEA ground.

The match that doubles up as the second leg of the annual Elgon Cup begins at 3.30pm.

Kenya are 48-10 up courtesy of their the first leg win in Kampala last month.

A win will see Kenya finish second in the Africa Rugby Cup Division 1A, having thumped Zimbabwe 61-15 in Harare before losing to Namibia 21-56 in Windhoek.

Revenge will be in the minds of Kenya Simbas as they try to reclaim the Elgon Cup that Kenya “A” painfully relinquished to the Cranes last year.

An all-round play is expected with both sides boasting of burly forwards and fast backs.

Kenya and Uganda have met 26 times before with the home side leading the match-up with 17 wins against eight losses. Uganda will need to edge out Kenya by a margin of more than 38 points to retain the Elgon Cup, a huge undertaking.

Victory by the Ugandans will see them finish second in the Africa Rugby Cup Division 1A.

Forwards Eric Kerre (Impala) and Dan Sikuta (Mwamba) and backs Darwin Mukidza (KCB) and Vincent Mose are the only players missing from the Simbas’ squad that did duty in the first leg.

Simbas coach Jerome Paawater effected five changes from the squad that lost to Namibia.

Tickets for the match are going for Sh300. Gates open at 11am.

Debutante Ian Minjire has the big boots of Mukidza to fill in at right wing. Mukidza has been rested for the forthcoming Hong Hong test match, having played in the last four matches.

SCORING CHANCES

KCB players Ronnie Mwenesi and Oliver Mang’eni, who missed the Harare and Windhoek tour start at second row in place of Impala players,  Eric Kerre, who is out and Simon Muniafu, who moves to the bench.

Fly-half Nato Simiyu (Impala) makes a return to the starting line up in a tactical move that will see Isaac Adimo start on the bench. Kenya Harlequin’s also make a welcome return at left wing, replacing Dennis Muhanji.

Skipper Brian Nyikuli, who will be flanking said the first 10 minutes will be crucial for his charges.

“We just can’t afford to take chances… we must get our defence systems tight especially our tight five in the,” said Nyikuli. “We must not give Cranes any scoring chances and we should run the ball.”

Nyikuli noted that Namibia starved them possession for the first 30 minutes hence the defeat in Windhoek. “They scored in the first 10 minutes after one of our players was sin-binned,” said Nyikuli.

Despite a heavy defeat at home, Rugby Cranes’ captain Brian Odong’ is still confident his side will be able to overturn the 38 points difference and retain Elgon Cup.

 “It’s quite a big margin to overturn but a good target hence we just need to set the game going as anything short would mean victory,” said Odong’ adding that they have endeavoured to quickly fix their defence that was lacking against Kenya and their execution in attack.

Winning away from home will be as daunting as Rugby Cranes last beat Kenya in their den three years ago in a 17-16 result.