Kenya Simbas will take on Zimbabwe Sables on Saturday 3rd August in the Victoria Cup fixture at the Hartsfield Grounds in the 4:30pm kick off match.
The team that beat Zambia 43-23 last weekend in Kitwe will only miss the input of Isaac Njoroge who was ruled out of the encounter following a head injury. The two sides last met in 2011(in the Victoria Cup) with Zimbabwe walking away with both home and away wins: beating Simbas 42-24 on 25th June in 2011 before completing the double on 23rd July 2011 with a close 26-21 win over the Simbas in Nairobi.
The most recent meeting between The Simbas and The Sables was in 2018 in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup where the Simbas secured a 45-36 win over their guests at the RFUEA Grounds. In 2017, The Simbas beat Zimbabwe 41-22 at the Hartsfield Rugby Ground.
Speaking after the Captain’s run, Head Coach Paul Odera says that the management has pushed the players harder in the latter stages of training to get them working under fatigue after 60 minutes. This is also aimed at getting them to keep the intensity even when they are tired. Last year the Sables half time talk seemed to spark some life into their attack that saw them land 19 points against what seemed like an unstable Simba side that added nine points to their tally securing the much needed 45-36 win hence Odera’s option of having a heavier and more experienced bench.
The match will be live on the Next Level Sports Facebook Page
Simbas starting line up against Zimbabwe: 1. Patrick Ouko, 2. Toby Francombe, 3. Melvin Thairu, 4. Simon Muniafu, 5. Malcolm Onsando, 6. Andrew Amonde, 7. Monate Akuei, 8. Elkeans Musonye, 9. Samson Onsomu, 10. Charles Kuka, 11. Billy Omondi, 12. Johnstone Mung’au, 13. Peter Kilonzo (C), 14. Jacob Ojee, 15. Anthony Odhiambo.
Reserves: 16. Griffin Musila, 17. Oscar Simiyu, 18. Curtis Lilako, 19. Joseph Shem, 20. Fidel Oloo, 21. Michael Wanjala, 22. Charles Tendwa.
