Uganda on alert as Kenya Simbas visit

Front rows Patrick Ouko (Homeboyz) and Joseph Odero (Kabras) will have their first start when Kenya Simbas face Uganda Cranes in the first leg of the Elgon Cup at Legends Rugby Club, Kampala on Saturday.

Head coach Ian Snook has also handed lock Andrew Chogo his international debut as Simbas launch their title defence.

Ouko and Odero complete a front row partnership that also has Kenya Commercial Bank lock Peter Kaaria with Chogo joining Oliver Mang’eni also from KCB in the second row.

Captain Davis Chenge of KCB will play as the eighth man with George Nyambua (Kabras) and Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore) at blindside and openside flank respectively.

Snook has gone for a settled backline led by half backs Sam Onsomu (Impala Saracens) and Isaac Adimo (Kenya Harlequin). Leo Seje (Impala Saracens) and Peter Kilonzo (KCB) link up in midfield while fullback Darwin Mukidza (KCB) will lead the a back three of Jacob Ojee (KCB) and Tony Onyango (Homeboyz) on the wings.

Brian Odongo and Michael Wokorach who have led the Cranes as captain and vice-captain respectively since 2014 will miss action. 

According to the sister publication of the Daily Nation in Uganda Daily Monitor, the players will be fans on Saturday with Asuman Mugerwa and Justin Kimono replacing them.

Odongo, the longest serving Cranes skipper, underwent knee surgery earlier this month while Wokorach was not named in the squad for undisclosed reasons.

DIFFERENT

Many expected Wokorach to replace Odongo as captain but Cranes coach Robert Seguya had a different idea, going for one of his loyal players Mugerwa, who debuted in 2012.

“I need someone who will lead the side as the rest look up to him and he has it all,” Seguya told Daily Monitor. For Kimono, being a leader in the Cranes set up is not something new. He was named deputy captain alongside Romano Ogwal in 2014.

Kimono only returned last year with the same hunger he has possessed since bursting onto the scene in 2008 at 18.

“It’s good to be back and healthy to play with some responsibility on my shoulders because I enjoy competition. Kenya is the ideal opponent and I hope we win and make the fans proud on Saturday,” said Kimono.

Former Cranes leaders include Adrian Bukenya, Alex Mubiru, Mathias Ochwo, Peter Magona, Herbert Wafula, Robert Seguya, John Musoke, Moses Soita, and Michael Wokorach.

Kenya Simbas drew Cranes 33-33 in Nairobi but retained the Elgon Cup title with a 56-51 aggregate win after the Simbas had won the first leg 23-18 in Kampala.

While Uganda Cranes played South Africa Barbarians in two friendly matches last month in Kampala, losing both, the Simbas haven’t had build up matches part from the training and camp in Nanyuki.

Squad

15. Darwin Mukidza,14. Tony Onyango,13. Peter Kilonzo, 12. Leo Seje, 11. Jacob Ojee, 10. Isaac Adimo, 9. Sam Onsomu, 1.Patrick Ouko*, 2. Peter Karia, 3. Joseph Odero*, 4.Andrew Chogo*, 5. Oliver Mang’eni, 6. George Nyambua, 7.Elkeans Musonye, 8. Davis Chenge (captain)

Replacements 16. Philip Ikambili, 17. Oscar Simiyu, 18. Curtis Lilako, 19. Malcolm Onsando, 20. Martin Owila, 21. Xavier Better, 22. Biko Adela, 23. Vincent Mose

Cranes:

Backs: Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Ian Muyani, Phillip Wokorach, Ivan Kirabo, Ivan Magomu, James Odongo, Pius Ogena, Eric Mula, Justin Kimono (vice captain)
Forwards: Simon Olet, Musa Muwonge, Paul Ssekate, Adnan Mutebi, Saul Kivumbi, Asuman Mugerwa (captain), Nathan Bwambale, Edgar Pajob, Robert Aziku, Elphaz Emong, Byron Okketayot, Brian Asaba, Marvin Odongo