All is not well with Kenya Simba’s preparations for Saturday’s Elgon Cup clash against Uganda in Kampala.
Discontentment, anger and frustration have been mounting in the side with the players unhappy about preparations.
The Simbas last played in July at the Africa Cup and had not regrouped since, not until the naming of a 35-man squad just four training days to a competitive match against Uganda.
The second leg is due in Nairobi on November 9.
Senior players have questioned why their preparations started late, just last year.
They lost the Victoria Cup but redeemed themselves by ruling the Elgon Cup.
“We (players) are disappointed. It seems history is repeating itself. Last year we had poor preparations and even in the Africa Cup this year we had no build-up matches. It’s upon the union to give us the best available preparations in order for us to be successful,” one player observed.
Kenya Rugby Union director of squads Moses Mukabane acknowledged the issues raised by the players.
“The whole issue is about finances. We don’t have the money to put the players into long camps but we are trying the best to give them the best preparations,” said Mukabane.
A source at the team said the Elgon Cup should be cancelled and the Union look for funding for next year’s World Cup qualifiers where the two nations are expected to meet in a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown in Uganda.
“It’s not do or die to play the Elgon Cup. We can be better prepared for next year, get funding play buildup matches and training camps and then play Uganda. As it is, we are ill-prepared for this fixture,” said the source.
Kabras duo of Ntabeni Dukisa and Jone Kubu are the notable inclusions in the team with the majority of the players from the Africa Cup retained.
There are no foreign-based players in the squad with Andrew Siminyu (South Africa), Malcolm Onsando (Romania) and Thomas Okeyo (South Africa) unavailable for the two November test matches.
The Simbas will hold a residential
camp in Kakamega this week before
travelling by road to Uganda for the
first leg at Kingspark Arena.