• The Simbas will start their Rugby Africa campaign against Senegal at the Mandela National Stadium in Nambole, Kampala, on July 20.
• The former Homeboyz playmaker will be keen to nail down a place in the competitive squad, to be whittled down to 35 before the team departs for Uganda for the week-long championship.
Image: /FILE
Former Kenya Sevens' international Johnstone Olindi has been called up to the Kenya Simbas training squad for the Africa Cup in Kampala, Uganda, in July.
Olindi, who relocated to Canada last year — where he plies his trade with Westshore Rugby Club in Vancouver, is among 13 new faces called up the squad.
The former Homeboyz playmaker will be keen to nail down a place in the competitive squad, to be whittled down to 35 before the team departs for Uganda for the week-long championship.
Other new entrants include Francis Atiti, Felix Ojow, Amos Obae, Felix Okoth, William Mwanji, Griffin Chao, Obat Kuke, Tyson Maina, Richel Wangila, Matthias Osimbo, Dennis Abukuse, Abutwalib Wesonga and Quinto Ongo.
The Simbas will start their Rugby Africa campaign against Senegal at the Mandela National Stadium in Nambole, Kampala, on July 20.
The winner of this match will play in the semifinal against the Algeria–Cote d'Ivoire quarterfinal winner on July 24. The tournament will end on July 28 at the same venue.
The other fixtures will see champions Namibia face Burkina Faso, Algeria take on Cote d'Ivoire and hosts Uganda face Zimbabwe in a mouth-watering fixture.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Director of 15s rugby, Moses Mukabane, said the team will have several training camps before departure to Kampala.
Kakamega-based players will train at Kabras RFC's facility. Nakuru-based players will be at Menengai Oilers while those in Nairobi will train in one central location.
Training squad:
Loosehead props: Francis Atiti (Oilers), Edward Mwaura (Kabras), Andrew Siminyu (University of Johannesburg, South Africa), Hookers: Eugene Sifuna (Kabras), Teddy Akala (Kabras), Griffin Musila (KCB), Tighthead props: Wilhite Mususi (KCB), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras), Locks: Brian Juma (Kabras), Hibrahim Ayoo (Oilers), Felix Okoth (Nakuru), Clinton Juma (Oilers), Hillary Odhiambo (Kabras), Malcolm Onsando ( SCM Rugby Timisoara, Romania), Emmanuel Silungi (KCB), Blindside flankers: George Nyambua (Kabras), Felix Ojow (KCB), Amos Obae (Nakuru), Openside flankers: Brian Ndirangu (Westshore RFC, Canada), Thomas Okeyo (NovaVit Griffons, South Africa), Elvis Olukusi (KCB), William Mwanji (Kabras), Number Eights: Jeanson Musoga (Kabras), Elkeans Musonye (Oilers), Obat Kuke (Blak Blad), Scrumhalves: Michael Wanjala (KCB), Samson Onsomu (Oilers), Brian Wahinya (KCB), Flyhalves: Ntabeni Dukisa (Kabras), Barry Young (Kabras), Johnstone Olindi (Westshore RFC, Canada), Left wing: Beldad Ogeta (Oilers), Griffin Chao (Kabras), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras), Inside centres: Walter Okoth (Kabras), Tyson Maina (Oilers), Paul Mutsami (Quins), Outside centres: Richel Wangila (Quins), Bryceson Adaka (Kabras), Mathias Osimbo (Kabras), Dennis Abukuse (Oilers), Right wing: Joel Inzuga (Mwamba), Timothy Omela (Oilers), Alfred Orege (Kabras), Fullbacks: Abutwalib Wesonga (Oilers), Quinto Ongo (Impala).