Four Years From Hurt, Simbas On The Cusp Of RWC History In Namibia

NAIROBI, Kenya- On July 6, 2014 Kenya Simbas were only 80 minutes away from history, needing only to beat Zimbabwe and qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) for a first time ever.

Then under South African head coach, Jerome Paarwater, the national 15s side had breezed through the England 2015 RWC qualification that was played in a round robin format at the time.

Having stunned favourites Namibia 29-22 before toppling hosts Madagascar 34-0 in their opening two games, Zimbabwe were not expected to derail their dream of reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

However, disaster struck for the Kenyans when they went down 10-27 and in the process, shot down from the top to finish third in the standings with Namibia who whipped the hosts 80-0 bagging the automatic RWC ticket as Zimbabwe advanced to the repecharge.

The blow was a bitter pill to swallow and in December last year, Paarwater was relieved of his duties and New Zealander Ian Snook appointed to take his place and deliver the elusive RWC dream.

On Saturday (August 18), exactly four years, a month and 12 days from that dark day in Kenya 15s rugby history in Antananarivo, Simbas will once again line up for the kick-off a rugby game with only 80 minutes standing between them and history yet again.

Besides delivering Simbas to the promised land of Japan 2019 RWC, Snook will also be aiming to lift a first continental title since 2013 by winning the 2018 Africa Gold Cup at the expense of the team that has held on to the crown for the past five years.

“Our hopes and aspirations is that we play really well and piece together 80 minutes of what has only be seen for 40 or so minutes of the other games,” Snook told Kenya Rugby after naming his travelling squad that will probably play their biggest game in their career so far when they take on the continental champions in Windhoek.

Kept pressure 

So far, Snook and Simbas have raced through their Gold Cup campaign, winning four of their fixtures on the trot and last Saturday stormed to a 67-0 bonus win over Tunisia at the RFUEA in Nairobi that kept pressure on Namibia.

Dalmus Chituyi, Felix Ayange and Curtis Lilako return to his squad for Namibia that also includes Shujaa sevens star William Ambaka who had a roaring Simbas debut last weekend as well as the star of the Tunisia demolition job, Martin Owilah.

"It has been difficult with no warm-up games and going in cold for one off Test matches. The Tunisian game provided a bit of everything that the players will learn.

"I’m expecting the players are ready for an 80 minute effort and are really looking forward to it,” Snook who has been involved in the RWC champions New Zealand All Blacks set up added.

Simbas are scheduled to leave Nairobi at 5am local time (+3GMT) on Wednesday morning for their date with destiny with Chituyi and Lilako returning to the team from injury whilst Ayange was rested for the Tunisia Test.

Chituyi was a two-try hero when Kenya edged Zimbabwe 45-36 on June 30 at the RFUEA in what was a stern examination to their credentials with Lilako last running out for the side in their 28-24 away win in Morocco on June 23 that laid a solid platform to their Gold Cup charge.

Ayange sat out their last encounter recovering from the effects of a dental root canal procedure with Snook explaining their inclusion to the squad.

"Dallo (Chituyi) is in as we have a six/two bench for this game. It has been a crucial in a couple of other games with fresh forwards coming on late and making a telling difference. We hope this will be the same.

Tough competitor

"Felix is on the bench as he can cover many positions and is competent in them all. He is a tough competitor and we know he will be up for the physical battle. Biko (Adema) who usually fills this role is carrying an injury. Curtis is back in so we can utilize his experience and cool head late in the game."

Simba romped to a 38-22 victory over neighbours Uganda on July 7 for their perfect record in the Gold Cup thus far and travel to face a team that also swept all before them to set up the winner takes it all encounter.

Group leaders Namibia humbled Uganda 55-6 (June 16), annihilated hapless Tunisia 118-0 (June 23), crushed Morocco 63-7 away (June 30) and outclassed Zimbabwe 58-28 (July 7) in Harare to remain the team to beat in the race for the automatic RWC qualification/Gold Cup victory.

With odds stacked against them on Saturday, the heartache of 2014 could be the inspiration Simbas need to cage their more fancied opponents.

With daylight between them and Uganda in the Gold Cup standings defeat will see Kenya drop to the intercontinental repercharge that is altogether a more difficult route to reach Japan 2019.

Simbas squad to Namibia

Isaac Adimo (Kenya Harlequin), Martin Owilah (KCB), Samson Onsomu (Resolution Impala Saracens), William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Tony Onyango (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Mohamed Omollo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Felix Ayange (Kabras Sugar), Dalmus Chituyi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Curtis Lilako (KCB), Peter Karia (KCB), Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore Leos), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Andrew Chogo (Kabras Sugar), Malcolm Onsando (Kenya Harlequin), Patrick Ouko (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Moses Amusala (KCB), Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar), Colman Were (Kabras Sugar), Davis Chenge (KCB, Captain)