This Is Why Chipu Coach Odera Trusts Ochieng' To Lead Barthes Cup Team

2nd April 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

Kenya open their African championship charge against Senegal on Thursday afternoon at Nairobi's KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka

National rugby 15s under 20 head coach, Paul Odera (centre) at a previous function. PHOTO/File

SUMMARY

Optimistic head coach, Paul Odera who is also in charge of the senior 15s side Simbas, also appointed Samuel Asati to deputise as vice-captain when he unveiled his squad on Tuesday morning at the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) head quarters
Kenya will play Tunisia from 3:30pm local time (+3GMT) after champions and tournament favourites, Namibia open their defence with a clash against Senegal from 1:30pm at the same venue

NAIROBI, Kenya- Bonface Ochieng' will lead out national team Chipu on Thursday afternoon as captain when they kick-off their 2019 Barthes Cup campaign at Nairobi's KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka.

Optimistic head coach, Paul Odera who is also in charge of the senior 15s side Simbas, also appointed Samuel Asati to deputise as vice-captain when he unveiled his squad on Tuesday morning at the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) head quarters.

Ochieng' and Asati were handed leadership roles by the former sevens and 15s international for their experience having featured in last year's Barthes Cup which is the Rugby Africa Under 20 Championship where Kenya lost out to champions Namibia with Tunisia finishing second ahead of Chipu.

"The second thing we were looking at from the team is those who are able to quickly adjust to the pattern of play expected in both attack and defence. We had to get a balance of personalities as well as players who can quickly adjust to the patterns of play,” Odera declared.

“This group of guys has a special feel about them. They have come together very quickly as a team, much quicker than we’ve had in the previous four years that we’ve been together as the management team," the Chipu boss added.

Kenya will play Tunisia from 3:30pm local time (+3GMT) after champions and tournament favourites, Namibia open their defence with a clash against Senegal from 1:30pm at the same venue.

Chipus squad

Ian Njenga (Nondies), Bonface Ochieng (Kenya Harlequins/captain), Rotuk Rahedi (Millfield College), Emmanuel Silungi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Hibrahim Ayoo (Menengai Oilers), James McGreevy (Kenya Harlequins), Brian Amaitsa (Nondies), Darren Kahi (Blak Blad), Samuel Asati (KCB/vice captain), Dominic Coulson (Unattached), Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Oilers), Owain Ashley (Merchiston Castle), George Maranga(KCB), Geoffrey Okwach (KCB), Jeff Mutuku (Kenya Harlequins), Wilfred Waswa (Northern Suburbs), Collins Obure (Blak Blad), Ian Masheti (Resolution Impala Saracens), Frank Aduda (Resolution Impala Saracens), George Kiryazi (Merchiston Castle), Samuel Were(LaiserHill Academy), Barry Young (Kabras Sugar), Douglas Kahuri (Kenya Harlequins), Michele Brighetti (Sedburgh School), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore University)