Fears mount over Kenya XV's readiness

Coach Paul Odera will be guiding his charges, Kenya Simbas, in their Rugby World Cup debut quest against Senegal and Zambia between July 3 and 11 during the Rugby Africa Cup expected to be played in a bubble-setting.

However, the tactician is a worried man as the team is yet to begin physical training owing to the suspension of sporting activities. The provisional squad of 102 players has, for the last two weeks, been engaged in virtual training as the wait for return-to-action guidelines continue.

“Virtual training is quite intense and exhausting. We had hoped to be in camp with all the local-based players before trimming the team down to 50 on May 25. That is still the plan but for now, we continue engaging virtually. Simbas have not trained together since September 2019, during the Victoria Cup win over Zimbabwe, and this could mean our opponents have an advantage over us, history notwithstanding, if they are training,” offered Odera.   

He continued, “We cannot realistically expect to be better than teams that have been playing and training for this championship. If we could hit camp early next week and train, uninterrupted, until July, then I will be confident of going past the two teams as we look to qualify for the World Cup.”

Kenya has won their previous test meetings with Senegal, while their only defeat to Zambia came 41 years ago. Simbas’ last encounter with Zambia was two years ago in Lusaka and Nairobi. 

“Two years ago the team was doing well and anything could have happened within that time. I do not have inside information on what the team is doing and what to expect. But I know a good number of their players are in the military and they could be training. The unknowns are scary but they wouldn’t be if we were already in camp. With the local league suspended, our players lack match fitness and that could hurt us.”

“As for Senegal, they draw most of their national team players from clubs in France and with their leagues opening up they could be better prepared. We have a history of beating these teams but the conditions are different now,” he added further revealing that the team is scheduled for a training camp in South Africa between June 11 and 21 which will boost their preparedness for the qualifiers.

Simbas’ foreign-based players include Andrew Siminyu currently plying his trade with the University of Jo’burg, Toby Francombe in Scotland, Miles Rahedi of Kutztown University, USA, Malcolm Onsando of Dinamo Bucharesti in Romania, Monate Akue of Tigers RFC in England, Brayden Barrat playing for Durham University London, siblings Mark Mutuku and Jeff Mutuku with Notre Dame Athletic in the USA, Owain Ashley Lloyd of Cardiff University and Dominic Coulson playing for Exeter University.  

Kenya came close to realising their Rugby World Cup dream three years ago when the team qualified for the repechage tournament in Marseille as Africa 2. However, Simbas lost each of their three matches to Canada, Hong Kong and Germany. Coach Odera is hoping to guide the team to automatic qualification as the top team in Africa.