The highs and lows of Kenya Simbas in 2024
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 01.01.25. | 09:36
The team secured the fourth spot in the Rugby Africa Cup after a 38-22 defeat to Namibia in the third-place playoff, held in July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium
The Kenya 15s national team, the Simbas, experienced a rollercoaster year (2024) filled with both triumphs and challenges.
From clinching the Elgon and Victoria Cups to the disappointment of finishing fourth at the Rugby Africa Cup after a tough 38-22 loss to Namibia in the third-place playoff, the team has navigated a season of mixed fortunes.
Mozzart Sport takes a closer look at the highs and lows that defined the Simbas’ journey in 2024.
Kenya Simbas retain Elgon Cup
Simbas clinched the 2024 Elgon Cup after narrowly defeating Uganda Cranes 27-25 in a closely contested match on Saturday, 9 November at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
The win saw the the team successfully defend the title they last won on Saturday, November 11 at the Mamboleo Showground in Kisumu after defeating Uganda 20-13.
The team also claimed the 2024 Elgon-Victoria Cup following a 21-5 second-leg win over the Uganda Cranes in a clash staged at the Kings Park Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.
Kenya, had claimed a 27-25 win in Nairobi a week ago, went all guns blazing in the second leg, with well-converted tries by Ephraim Oduor, Eugene Sifuna, and man-of-the-match rookie AndyCole Omollo, to consolidate a 48-30 aggregate win over their East African neighbors.
Kenya Simbas finish fourth in Rugby Africa Cup
Simbas secured the fourth spot in the Rugby Africa Cup after a 38-22 defeat to Namibia in the third-place playoff, held in July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
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The match was a rematch of the 2022 Rugby Africa Cup final-cum-Rugby World Cup qualifier in France, where Kenya fell 36-0, allowing Namibia to claim an automatic ticket to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Despite their efforts, the Simbas were unable to overcome their Southern African rivals.
New faces impress
Head coach Jerome Paarwater included the services of Kenya under 20 international Omolo, who made his senior team debut during the Victoria Cup.
Other debutants were former Chipu player Tyson Maina and Kabras RFC’s speedster Griffin Chao.
Chao scored the opening try during the Victoria Cup while Maina and Omollo’s performances were phenomenal.
Rugby Super Series boosts Simbas
May 4th, 2024, marked the return of the Rugby Super Series, at a wet and muddy RFUEA grounds, after a decade-long hiatus.
The Menengai Oilers Cheetahs would eventually claim the Super Series title in May after beating the KCB Bank Lions 18-10 in the final at the RFUEA after rounds in Nakuru and Kakamega.
What was even more captivating was that it was played in different venues.
Die-hard fanatics traveled across the country to witness the matches.
They also generated revenue for the Kenya Rugby Union through entry fees and other charges around the events.
The series also helped coaches build a formidable Kenya Simbas squad.
The players were selected from the Kenya Cup teams in different regions, offering coaches the perfect platform to pick players for the national team.
Players from different teams also gelled and learned more from each other, something that further strengthened the team.
Chipu claim Barthes Trophy
The month of April belonged to Chipu, as the side claimed the continental Barthes Trophy, following a 28-13 result over favourites and hosts Zimbabwe, in Harare.
That win meant the Chipu class of 2024, became the third Kenyan side to play at the World Rugby Junior Trophy after the classes of 2009 and 2019.
Despite finishing eighth on the global stage, the team has produced some amazing faces for Kenya Rugby.
The likes of Omollo and Jackson Siketa are the fruits of the team.
Kenya Legends retain Legends Cup title
Kenya retained the Legends Cup after defeating Uganda 24-15 in the second leg at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday, 28 September.
This marked the second consecutive year the Kenya Legends claimed the title, following a dominant 69-18 aggregate win over Uganda in 2023.
The victory extended Kenya’s winning streak against their East African rivals to four consecutive wins.
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