The Simbas will open their campaign against Zambia on November 1 before the two-legged showdown against Uganda in the Elgon Cup on November 5 and 11.
Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater has hinted at using the upcoming Victoria and Elgon Cups as platforms to give every player sufficient playing time ahead of next year’s Currie Cup First Division and the 2027 World Cup qualifiers later.
Paarwater named a 38-man squad that hit camp earlier this week in preparation for both November assignments but is expected to trim down the squad to 28 players who will travel to Kampala for the Victoria Cup, before returning to Kenya’s Kisumu City for the Elgon Cup showdown.
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“I think there is a long history regarding the Victoria Cup,” Paarwater said. “It is a tradition shared between Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda.
“I think the tradition is good and it is important they still continue with that. I believe it is important that all the guys get more games.”
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Paarwater has assured that he will find ways to give every player who participates in the two tournaments as much game time as possible in order to understand what they can give him in future international assignments.
“If you look at the World Cup, all the second tier guys are complaining about not playing more rugby.
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“I think the more rugby they play, the better for any country. Also, Simbas want to prepare for next year’s Currie Cup and then obviously, the main focus is to have more game time to see if the Simbas can qualify for the next World Cup.”
The majority of the squad that was on duty in the Currie Cup First Division competition has been retained for the matches against Zambia and Uganda with the exception of Samuel Asati, Beldad Ogeta, Elvis Olukusi who are now with Shujaa, Timothy Mmasi who is now playing for Old Blue Rugby Club in the USA and Emmanuel Mulla.
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Kenya Simbas pitch tent in Kakamega ahead of busy November calendar
A 38-man Simbas squad is horning their skills in Kakamega ahead of their busy schedule in November.
Making a return to the squad is Oilers prop Edward Mwaura as well as the KCB duo of Mike Kimwele and Emmanuel Silungi while Dan Ang’wech (Kabras Sugar), Paul Mutsami (Kenya Harlequin) and Shem Okola (Strathmore Leos) are all in line for their potential debuts.
The Simbas will open their campaign against Zambia on November 1 before the two-legged showdown against Uganda in the Elgon Cup on November 5 and 11.
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