Kenya readies for Portugal Test

Kenya Harlequin centre Dennis Muhanji is the surprise exclusion from Kenya 15s training squad selected to prepare for key international rugby matches.

Also missing out in the 39-man squad are KCB back three Allan Omuka and Kabras Sugar’s scrum half Edwin Achayo. Omuka has however been slotted in Kenya “A” side.

“Muhanji was in the training squad but we have left him out since he is with the Kenyan Sevens,” said deputy coach Dominique Habimana.

“We are considering Omuka for Elgon Cup while Achayo has a long term ankle injury.”

Kenya 15s, unerd coach Jerome Paawater, is set to start its international fixtures with a home test against Portugal on May 30 before playing away to Zimbabwe in the first of its Africa Rugby Division 1A fixtures on June 13.

Kenya will then host Tunisia in their second Division 1A encounter on June 28, play at home to Spain on July 18 before winding up their international engagements with a Division 1A match away to Namibia on August 8. Eleven players have been selected to the Kenya ‘A’ training squad that will do duty against Uganda in the Elgon Cup.

“We shall be required to name more players for the Elgon Cup,” said Habimana.

Kenya edged out Namibia 29-22 and beat Madagascar 34-0 during the 2014 Africa Cup that also doubled up as the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifiers but their efforts counted for nothing after they lost 10-28 to Zimbabwe during the tourney staged in Madagascar.

Trailing 14-21 from the first leg in Kampala, Kenya “A” romped to a 34-0 win in the return fixture that saw them win the Elgon Cup 48-21 on aggregate.