Blak Blad's Obat Kuke, Menengai Oilers' Abutwalib Wesonga and Richel Wangila of Quins have been drafted into the Kenya Simbas squad for the Africa Cup which starts on July 20 in Kampala, Uganda.
Kuke was instrumental for Blak Blad with superb displays as they reached the Kenya Cup playoffs.
He was ferocious in defence as well and played a key role for the Lions franchise in the Super Series which concluded in May.
On his part, Wesonga played a key role for the Cheetahs side that bagged the Super Series title and steered the Oilers outfit to the Kenya Cup semis.
Head coach Jerome Paarwater said Wangila excelled in training in the two alignment camps held at the KCB Sports Club and Peponi School last month.
Sources within the team have, however, expressed concern over the lack of friendly matches and final camp due to the unavailability of funds from the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
“We were supposed to have final camp this week but that did not happen This leaves us in a tricky situation considering our competitors are playing build-up matches.
For example, Ugandan are in South Africa; Namibia are playing Portugal while Algeria and Senegal with their French connections are playing matches,” noted the source
Kenya were due to play Belgium in a friendly last month but the match was called off due to a lack of funds
Kenya last won the Africa Cup in 2013 in Madagascar in Paarwater's second year of coaching the Simbas.
It doesn't get easier with the tricky opening match against Senegal—a team they lost to 20-19— during the Rugby World Cup qualifiers at Nyayo Stadium.
“Senegal are a force to be reckoned with. They have players who play in France and we can't underestimate them," said Paarwater
He was, however, optimistic about his side's chances. “We have one more week of training before departure. The boys are in good spirits and we are relishing the battle," said Paarwater.
Kabras' flanker George Nyambua will captain the side and will be assisted by teammate Eugene Sifuna and long-serving scrum-half Samson Onsomu.
The winner of the Kenya vs Senegal clash will advance to the semis, where they play the winner of the Algeria vs Cote d'Ivoire quarterfinal on July 24.
The winner of the Namibia-Burkina Faso match will meet the winner of the Zimbabwe vs Uganda quarterfinal.
Squad:
Forwards: Ephraim Oduor, Edward Mwaura, Eugene Sifuna, Teddy Akala, Griffin Musila, Wilhite Mususi, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Ibrahim Ayoo, Clinton Odhiambo, Hillary Odhiambo, Malcolm Onsando, George Nyambua, Thomas Okeyo, Obat Kuke, Jeanson Misoga and Elkeans Musonye; Backs: Michael Wanjala, Samson Onsomu, Barry Robinson, Beldad Ogeta, Derrick Ashiundu, Walter Okoth, Paul Mutsami, Richel Wangila Bryceson Adaka, Timothy Okwemba Alfred Orege and Abdulwalib Wesonga.
