Eight new caps as Kenya name Elgon Cup squad to Kampala

Media Release from Kenya RFU

Nairobi, Thursday 19 April 2012

Head Coach Michael Otieno named eight new faces in Kenya's touring party to Kampala for the first leg of the Elgon Cup on Saturday 21 April 2012. They are Sammy Warui ,Duncan Mwangi (Nakuru RFC) Eden Agero, Nick Barasa, Chris Oduor (Lunch Bar Quins), Maurice Mbai (Strathmore Leos) and Mwamba's youngster Daniel Sikuta, most valuable player at the 2011 KSSSA Schools Sevens champions in Kakamega.

Addressing the press at the team naming yesterday at the RFUEA Grounds, Otieno observed that the potential battle against the Rugby Cranes will be fought in the forwards, saying, " The Ugandans are strong upfront and we will need to contain them, particularly in the opening twenty minutes of the fixture. We will however also not underrate their backline. As you recall, they punished us in Kampala last year with their backs who guided them to victory in a game that we were leading."

Speaking on the squad's current composition, Otieno said," We selected this team with several things in mind. We have battle with Uganda later on this year in the CAR Cup's Division 1A where we are the defending champions, and it is good that we get the young players on the team to have a feel of rugby at this level. Remember, next year's CAR Divsion will serve as qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup and this is part of the process of developing a competitive squad. We have not included the Kenya Sevens players in this squad owing to the fact that they still have two rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series to play."

The squad, which left for Kampala last night, will be captained by Lunch Bar Quins prop Joel Ng'ang'a.

Kenya Men
1. Joel Ng'ang'a (Lunch Bar Quins, Captain)
2. Sammy Warui (Menengai Oil Nakuru
3. Dennis Karani ( Lunch Bar Quins)
4. Wilson K'Opondo (Lunch Bar Quins)
5. Ronnie Mwenesi (Nondescript RUFC)
6. Duncan Ekasi (Impala RFC)
7.Brian Nyikuli (Lunch Bar Quins)
8.Lawrence Buyachi (Impala RFC)
9.Eden Agero (Lunch Bar Quins)
10. Kenny Andola (Strathmore Leos)
11. Kelvin Omiyo (Homeboyz RFC)
12. Maurice Mbai (Strathmore Leos)
13. Nick Barasa (Lunch Bar Quins)
14. Vincent Mose (Impala RFC)
15. Chris Oduor (Lunch Bar Quins)
16. Curtis Lilako (KCB)
17. Duncan Mwangi (Menengai Oil Nakuru)
18. Daniel Sikuta (Mwamba RFC)
19. Leslie Libasia (Lunch Bar Quins)
20.Steve Sakwa (Homeboyz)
21. Matthew Musita (KCB)
22. Calvins Biko (Nondescript RUFC)
Head Coach: Michael Otieno
Assistant Coach: Dominique Habimana
Team Manager: Wangila Simiyu
Physio: Chris Makachia