We have something special for you, come support us, Nyikuli urges fans

What you need to know:

  • They will then take on Spain on July 18 in their second test match. Kenya will wind up with a Division 1A match away to the Rugby World Cup-bound Namibia on August 8.
  • Nyikuli was speaking yesterday as Portugal jetted into the country in the morning, exuding confidence. The visitors had some light training last evening at St Mary’s School.

Kenya skipper Brian Nyikuli has called on fans to come and rally behind them when they take on Portugal in an international Test match on Saturday at the RFUEA grounds.

Nyikuli said after Kenya failed to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there only other option is for them to win their Test match against Portugal and Spain on July 18 besides the Africa Rugby Division 1A so as to attract World Rugby funding.

Kenya will launch their Afrique Division 1A quest against Zimbabwe on June 13 before hosting Tunisia in their second encounter of Division 1A on June 28 in Nairobi.

They will then take on Spain on July 18 in their second test match. Kenya will wind up with a Division 1A match away to the Rugby World Cup-bound Namibia on August 8.

“We have something special for our fans this year. We want to beat Portugal and Spain so as to rise in the World Rugby rankings,” said Nyikuli. “By rising in ranking, we shall also attract quality competition and that will develop us to better players.”

Spain is currently placed 20th in World Rugby standings, Namibia are 22nd, Portugal 23rd, Zimbabwe 28th, Kenya 32nd and Tunisia 36th.
Nyikuli said the players’ fitness level were very high considering that they went into training only a week after Kenya Cup ended on March 14.

PORTUGAL JET IN

Nyikuli was speaking yesterday as Portugal jetted into the country in the morning, exuding confidence. The visitors had some light training last evening at St Mary’s School.

“The hunger the players have tells it all,” Nyikuli said. “We not only want to beat the European sides but also reclaim the Africa Rugby Division 1A Cup that we won in 2011 and 2013.”

Nyikuli said even though they were a youthful side that was building for the 2019 World Cup the duel against Portugal the experience they got from Vodacom Cup and Africa Cup last year was still raw.
“The strategy is to attack in the first half so as to contain the experienced Portuguese who are ranked nine places above them,” said Nyikuli.