Kenya Sevens coach Simiyu to leave at end of tenure
What you need to know:
- Before his contract expires in October, Simiyu said he is still engaged in scouting for talent for the national side ahead of the upcoming Safari Sevens and 2018-2019 Sevens World Series season.
- “We have identified 28 players from the ongoing National Sevens Circuit. We hope to select 40 players before the circuit ends. They will be assessed their heart condition, musculoskeletal system, and injuries. Those who will pass these tests will be taken in for high-performance training.
- “The level of competition has been very impressive in the circuit with many young talented players like Mark Wandetto and Brian Wahinya coming through,” said the tactician.
Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu has revealed he has no plans of coaching Kenya Sevens rugby team after his contract expires at the end October this year.
A day after Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) advertised his position together with those of Strength & Conditioning Coach, Physiotherapist and Team Manager, the former national sevens and fifteens team captain said he would not re-apply for the top job.
“I don’t want contract extension so I’m not going to re-apply for the position,” Simiyu told Nation Sport in an exclusive interview via telephone on Thursday.
Simiyu took over the reins at Kenya Sevens from Benjamin Ayimba in October 2016. His contract is due to expire in October this year.
Ayimba is the only coach to have won a leg in the World Sevens Series after guiding Shujaa to bag the Singapore Sevens title by beating giants Fiji 30-7 in the 2016 final.
He was given the boot when his contract expired September that year.
A total of 14 coaches among them Mitch Ocholla, Charles Cardovillis, Paul Murunga and Fijian Sailosi Naiteqe applied to replace Ayimba.
Former New Zealand Sevens head coach Sir Gordon Tietjens was also linked with the job before he opted for Samoa.
Many Kenyans would have expected Simiyu to be the first to apply to stay on as Shujaa head coach after guiding it to over the 100-point mark in the Sevens World Series in 2017-2018 season.
His side finished eighth overall with 104 points after reaching two main cup finals in Canada and Hong Kong and five cup quarterfinals.
Last season, Simiyu and his boys had set the target of breaking Mike Friday’s 99-point record set during the Englishman’s reign in 2012-2013 season as well as win one of the 10 rounds.
They never won a leg, but impressed by going over the 99-point barrier. He was fired just after the last leg in Paris in France after players blanked the Brand Kenya logo ‘Make it Kenya’ to protest a delay in salary and bonus payment.
He was reinstated before the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 held in San Francisco, USA in July. Shujaa performed below expectation at the World Cup, finishing 16th out of 24 countries.
Kenya had reached semi-final stage at the World Cup in Dubai in 2009 and Russia in 2013.
Before his contract expires in October, Simiyu said he is still engaged in scouting for talent for the national side ahead of the upcoming Safari Sevens and 2018-2019 Sevens World Series season.
“We have identified 28 players from the ongoing National Sevens Circuit. We hope to select 40 players before the circuit ends. They will be assessed their heart condition, musculoskeletal system, and injuries. Those who will pass these tests will be taken in for high-performance training.
“The level of competition has been very impressive in the circuit with many young talented players like Mark Wandetto and Brian Wahinya coming through,” said the tactician.
Safari Sevens will be returning in November this year after one-year hiatus.
The World Series begins on November 30 in Dubai. KRU advertised the position of Kenya Sevens head coach on August 29. Deadline for submitting applications is September 7, 2018
