Error-free game key for Kenya

Accuracy will be the most important weapon in the Kenya 15s team’s war chest if they are to come out victorious in this rare home Test match against an opponent from outside the continent.

Not expected to match and even dominate the Europeans’ anticipated superior forward line, head coach Jerome Paarwater’s charges will have to be perfect on the kicks, and clinical on tackles if they are to keep play in Portugal’s territory and compel them into making errors.

The South African tactician has hinted on playing for territory and ball retention, which heavily relies on accuracy. Several errors in their final game of last year’s 2015 World Cup qualifiers saw Kenya eliminated after falling to Zimbabwe when they just needed to avoid defeat.

Team manager Wangila Simiyu yesterday said the team had since set out on a mission to cut down on errors, and was confident that the side was close to perfection.

“We learnt a lot on our errors in Madagascar and we have worked adequately on it. We won’t use a very physical game plan. We want to employ our back line. They have a variation of moves that should help us increase the speed of the game,” he said.

ATTACKING PHASES

The territorial game plan will however pile more pressure on the forwards to get their set pieces right both when setting a platform for their kickers and during attacking phases in the Portugal half.

Front rows Curtis Lilako and Moses Amusala will have no choice but to fill in the big shoes left behind by the Kang’ethe twins – James and Joseph. Perhaps Paarwater’s most treasured assets for tomorrow’s tie lies in the backrow, which blends experience from Brian Nyikuli with the exuberance of youth in Joshua Chisanga and Mike Okombe.

Chisanga was the toast of the team’s Vodacom Cup tour last year, and even caught the eye of some South African teams. He is no doubt the best ball carrier in the team, and his unimaginable strength will be key in driving Kenya’s attack. Okombe’s work rate at the flank could just help make the difference.

The Homeboyz RFC loose forward makes a return to the team since the Vodacom Cup, and will have to shake off any rust in his system. Simiyu said the young forward looks hungrier than ever.

Simiyu admits that Portugal’s back line is lethal, but he believes they can be contained with heavy tackles and manning the breakdown base with utmost brutality.

“We know their backline can be slippery, but we expect to cool them down with hard tackles and strict watchmen at the breakdown bases. This way we shall be in control of the game,” Simiyu adds.

The long serving team manager admits that his side will have get precision right, as it will be the key to maintaining the game plan.

The Portuguese will have an experience advantage over their Kenyan counterparts, as they boast of several experienced players. They boast of the likes of scrumhalf Maxime Tonietta who plays for French top flight side Oyonnax.

Captain Vasco Uva will however be the biggest threat for the Kenyans as he seeks to cap his 100th game for Portugal with a win. The former Montpellier backrow turns out for GD Dereito, the current Portuguese top flight champions.

Front row Thibault Freitas plies his trade in the French third division for Castanet, while second row David Dod Reis plays for Chateaurenard. The experience spread in different positions in Portugal’s side could prove useful for leadership. The three France-based players were in Portugal’s side for the 2015 European Championships.