Namcos confident of his two call-ups for games in Spain
Kenya head coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu is confident Kabras Sugar’s winger Derrick Ashihundu’s debut and the return of speedster Vincent Onyala will give his side the much-needed X factor in the forthcoming World Rugby Sevens Series.
Kenya will be looking to earn a semi-final appearance and possibly a medal contention in Malaga, Spain, on January 21-23, and in Seville on January 28-30.
The team left the country this morning for Spain.
After a tough team selection that has left half the squad in Nairobi, Shujaa boss disclosed how injuries ruled out a possible debut by ex-Fijian Jone Kubu alongside Impala Saracens speedster Edmund Anya who returned to the national team after a three year absence in Dubai Sevens in December.
“All the boys were conditioned and were focused in training as per the expectations but unfortunately two players got injured - Anya and Kubu. This created an opportunity for Derrick Ashihundu to debut and we believe he will deliver the anticipated results alongside experienced Vincent Onyala who has returned to replace Alvin Marube,” said Simiyu.
Big names retained
The 2021/22 series kicked off last month with two events with Shujaa currently positioned eighth in the 16-team event.
Having featured in both quarter-finals, Shujaa will now hunt a first semis spot in Spain after losing both quarters to Fiji (19-5) and South Africa (31-19) in Dubai.
In Malaga, Shujaa will play Wales, Canada and France in Pool D.
The tactician has also lined up four capable non-travelling players, including two players who debuted last season and a duo set to debut - Nondescripts forward Benson Salem and Homeboyz winger Zeden Marrow.
“Salem has been very good at training and he is the most improved player in the team. He will definitely make the team soon,” he added.
The coach retained a big number of players who featured in Dubai including big guns Jeff Oluoch, Alvin Otieno, Herman Humwa, Bush Mwale, Billy Odhiambo, Johnstone Olindi and Daniel Taabu will be under seasonal skipper Nelson Oyoo.
The core teams for the upcoming events will be Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, USA and Wales.
