KCB forward Peter Waitere will be among four new faces in the Kenya Simbas squad for the Elgon and Victoria Cup slated for next month in Uganda.
The burly number eight has made the cut alongside Paul 'Boi' Mutsami of Quins and the Kabras duo of Emmanuel Otieno and Dan Angwech.
The quartet impressed the technical bench during the one-week training sessions in Kakamega with team manager Jimmi Mnene saying they had earned their place in the squad.
"They really put their hands up in training and mastered their roles very well. We know they will add value to the team,” said Mnene.
Kabras RFC George Nyambua will captain the side for both matches against Zambia (Victoria Cup) and Uganda (Elgon Cup).
The 38-man training squad was whittled down to 25 after an intense one-week training session in Kakamega and according to Mnene, the squad is a blend of youth and experience.
"It's a balanced squad of youth and experience. We hope to showcase an attacking and well-balanced brand of rugby in the Victoria and Elgon Cups,” added Mnene.
The Simbas left the country for Kampala by road on Sunday and will face Zambia on Wednesday at Kyadondo Rugby Club.
They then face neighbours and hosts Uganda on November 5 at King’s Park in a fixture that also doubles up as the opening fixture of the Elgon Cup, the cross-border fixture between Kenya and Uganda that has been played since 2004.
The return leg will be played on November 11 in Kisumu.
Kabras coach Carlos Katywa and KCB's Curtis Aluoch will handle the side in the absence of head coach Jerome Paarwater, who will link up with the team in Kisumu.
Squad: George Nyambua (captain) Ephraim Oduor, Derrick Ashiundu, Bryceson Adaka, Jone Kubu, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Teddy Akala, Walter Okoth, Barry Robinson, Jeanson Misoga, Emmanuel Otieno, Hillary Odhiambo, Alfred Orege, Dan Ang’wech (Kabras Sugar), Elkeans Musonye, Brian Ndirangu, Hibrahim Ayoo (Menengai Oilers), Brian Wahinya, Peter Waitere, Thomas Okidia, Wilhite Mususi (KCB), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore Leos), Joel Inzuga (Mwamba), Paul Mutsami (Harlequins), Reinhard Mwalati ( Masinde Muliro); Non- Travelling Reserves: David Bunduki, Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar), Shem Okola ( Strathmore Leos).
Management: Carlos Katywa (Coach), Curtis Aluoch (Coach), Richard Ochieng (Conditioning Coach), Gerald Omondi (Physio), Jimmy Mnene (Team Manager)
