Nakuru back-row Okombe makes Simba return ahead of Tunisia tie

Kenya Simba coach Jerome Paarwater has made one change to his team that will face Tunisia on Sunday in the Africa Rugby Division 1A duel at the RFUEA grounds.

Paarwater recalled Nakuru RFC back-row Mike Okombe, who missed travelling to Harare for their Division 1A opening match against Zimbabwe Sables on June 13 due to Visa hitches.

Homeboyz forward Emmanuel Mavala replaced the Nakuru RFC player in the game that Kenya lost 28-20, a defeat that saw them drop one place in the World Rugby ranking to 30th.

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However, the 25-year-old back-row had featured for Kenya during their 41-15 demolition of Portugal on May 30 in Nairobi.

Tunisia, who are due in the country Saturday evening, also named their squad that includes experienced kicking specialist Salim Barhoumi.

“I am delighted to be back. It’s always a pleasure playing for this great nation. The team is well prepared and morale is high.

“Tunisia is a good side and it’s going to be a big game. We just need to stay positive that at the end of the game we will emerge victorious,” said Okombe, a former Western Bulls player.

SELECTION HEADACHE

Team manager Wangila Simiyu, who unveiled the team at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday, said competition has been high hence it was about every player proving himself.

Among the players who were keen on getting places but have been left out are former skipper Wilson K’Opondo (Quins), Max Adaka (KCB), Kenny Andola (Strathmore), Ian Minjire (Impala Saracens), and eighth-man Dalmus Chituyi (Nakuru).

“The selected players have worked hard in their respective positions and we have been spoilt for choice with the high level of competition,” Wangila said. “There is consistency in every player but we got two more games against Spain and Namibia.”

Wangila said Tunisia won’t be a walkover after watching the clips where they lost to Namibia 14-22 in their opening match on June 5 in Tunis.

“They have bully forwards hence we shall have to spread the game and take advantage of the altitude,” Wangila said. “They would like to slow down the game but we won’t play into that.

Wangila said they have worked on their support play, an area where they didn’t perform well against Zimbabwe.

Barhoumi was part of the squad that lost 16-7 to the Simbas in the final of the 2011 edition of the championship in Nairobi.

Team Captain Brian Nyikuli said they are going for nothing short of victory.

“It is a very big game for us which we must win. We shall have to take this game by the scruff of the neck and maintain the tempo for eighty minutes,” said Nyikuli.

KENYAN SQUAD

Forwards: Moses Amusala (KCB), Samuel Warui (Nakuru), Curtis Lilako (KCB), Isaiah Nyariki (Nakuru), Peter Kaaria (KCB), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Ronnie Mwenesi (Nondies), Michael Okombe (Nakuru), Brian Nyikuli (Strathmore Leos, Captain), Lawrence Buyachi (Nakuru), Joshua Chisanga (Homeboyz), Davis Chenge (Western Bulls)

Backs: Lyle Asiligwa (Quins), Robert Aringo (Impala Saracens), Isaac Adimo (Quins), Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru), Fabian Olando (KCB), Jacob Ojee (KCB),Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Samuel Oliech (Impala Saracens), Dennis Muhanji (Quins), Vincent Mose ( Impala Saracens)

Management: Jerome Paarwater (Head Coach), Charles Ngovi, Dominique Habimana (Assistant Coaches), Simiyu Wangila (Team Manager), Richard Ochieng (Strength and conditioning), Chris Makachia (Physio)

TUNISIA TEAM

Mohamed Chargui, Salem Khanfous, Moktar Guetari, Khaled Zegdene, Mohamed Mliss, Issam Werhani, Mohsen Esid, Abdelmajid Zemzem, Hossem Khalfi, Salim Barhoumi, Bilel Labidi, Haithem Chelly, Ahmed Ben Charrada, Chadi Jabri, Chamseddine Khalifa, Mohamed Yassine Ben Abdallah, Achref Ben Hamouda, Abdennaceur Missaoui, Hamdi Dimassi, Hamdi, Mechri, Nejmeddine Khalifa, Mohamed Achref Dif, Ali Mansour.

Management: Sami Khalifa, Mohamed Sahraoui, Bouraoui Ismail, Mohamed Hedi Amri, Ali Mekni