The men’s national rugby 15s team, Kenya Simbas, will be hoping to defend the Elgon Cup 2024 title when they face Uganda Cranes in the second leg scheduled at Kings Park in Bweyogerere, Uganda on Saturday evening.
The Simbas enter the crucial return leg with a narrow 27-25 victory secured in the first leg played at RFUEA Grounds last weekend and must overcome the home disadvantage to clinch the bragging rights.
The Jerome Paarwater-coached side managed to lift the 2023 Elgon Cup title courtesy of a 40-34 aggregate victory where they lost the first leg 21-20 in Uganda before turning around the tie with a 20-13 win in Kisumu.
In the return leg, Paarwater has maintained the same squad that played last weekend, with only Edward Mwaura and Hillary Mwanjilwa added to the bench.
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Ephraim Oduor is set to start at prop, alongside Wilhite Mususi and Eugene Sifuna in the front row.
The second row will feature Emmanuel Silungi and Hillary Odhiambo, who was named Man of the Match in the first leg.
Squad captain George Nyambua will lead the back row, alongside Andy Cole Omolo and Jeanson Misoga.
The half-back pairing will consist of KCB’s Brian Wahinya at scrumhalf and co-captain Barry Robinson at flyhalf.
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Walter Okoth and Tyson Maina will retain their positions as midfielders, with Timothy Okwemba starting at fullback.
He will be supported by Alfred Orege and debutant Griffin Chao on the wings.
The two teams have met 43 times, with Kenya winning 24 matches and Uganda claiming victory 17 times.
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Kenya Simbas Elgon Cup 2024 Squad
1. Ephraim Oduor
2. Eugene Sifuna – VC
3. Wilhite Mususi
4. Emmanuel Silungi
5. Hillary Odhiambo
6. George Nyambua – C
7. Andy Cole Omolo
8. Jeanson Misoga
9. Brian Wahinya
10. Barry Robinson – VC
11. Alfred Orege
12. Walter Okoth
13. Tyson Maina
14. Griffin Chao
15. Timothy Okwemba
16. Griffin Musila
17. Edward Mwaura
18. Hillary Mwanjilwa
19. Ibrahim Ayoo
20. Elkeans Musonye
21. Samson Onsomu
22. Jone Kubu
23. Paul Mutsami
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