Romania-based scrum-half Conellias Mokoro has been called up to the Kenya Simbas’ provisional squad as they step up preparations for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers slated for July in Uganda.
Mokoro, who plays for CSA Steaua in Bucharest, joined the team at their alignment camp at Kabras training facility in Kakamega.
He was joined by new faces including forwards Celestine Mboi, Desterious Ifedha (Menengai), winger Charles Odhiambo (Nondies), utility back Emmanuel Opondo (KCB) and centre Wiseman Aganya (Quins).
Mokoro is no stranger to the team having played for the Kenya Under 20 side as well as the Morans in last year’s Africa Cup Sevens in Mauritius.
Speaking Wednesday, head of the Kenya 15s programme, Jerome Paarwater said there will be three more training camps to get the players in the best possible shape and make them understand what the technical bench needs ahead of the qualifiers.
“The camp is vital for the players to understand what we expect from them from a tactical standpoint in terms of fitness and conditioning. The players are in good shape and are playing regularly for their Kenya Cup sides which is a good thing,” said Paarwater.
The South African tactician said they are on the right track as far as preparations for the World Cup qualifiers are concerned.
“We have started the alignments camp early to build the foundation. I hope we can play build-up matches in South Africa against the top provincial teams or international test matches,” said Paarwater.
“The fight for places in the team is competitive and I expected a tough selection process following the arrival of new players. We have a large pool of talent to choose from and the players are training hard and putting their hands up for selection.”
The winner of the Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The runner-up will have another
opportunity to qualify through
a pre-repechage playoff match
against a team from Asia.
