Union starts funds drive to save Simbas from financial crisis
Kenya Simbas who preparing for Rugby World Cup qualifiers are in a financial crisis.
The Paul Odera-coached side, which is currently in camp, needs Sh10 million to sustain them until the matches are played.
Kenya Rugby Union has embarked on a ‘Friends for Simba’ financial drive to help the team reach the set goal of Sh 10 million ahead of the France global event.
Former Simbas captain Dickie Evans is spearheading the fundraiser, which comes days before the Simbas fly out to France for the Rugby Africa Cup matches, which will act as qualifiers for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Kenya has showcased its prowess with positive results in the Currie Cup the team which is currently in camp consists of Fijian-born Jonah Kubu and Collins Injera among other notable faces of the team.
In 2014, the Simbas almost qualified for the 2015 World Cup, stunning favourites Namibia 29-22 in their first match in the final round of qualifiers in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Kenya duly thumped the host nation 34-0 in their second match, but inexplicably lost 10-28 to Zimbabwe when they just needed to avoid defeat to qualify for their first world finals.
Kenya will face Uganda Cranes in the quarter-final on Saturday, July 2nd, at Stade Maurice-David in Aix-en-Provence. A win will see Simbas play the winner of Senegal vs Algeria match in the semis.
The winner of the eight-team knockout competition will represent Africa at the RWC2023, which will be held in France 14 months later.
The other side of the draw has Namibia playing Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe tackling Cote d’Ivoire. The team will be in Pool A, which consists of New Zealand, France, Italy, and Uruguay.
