John Allan Namu among notable picks as Kenya Rugby Legends name travelling squad to Uganda

• Oscar Osir has named a 24-man Kenya rugby legends squad set to defend their title.
• The first leg is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, at Kyadondo Rugby Football Club in Kampala.
• Legends by Nondies are the defending champions, having defeated Uganda 24-15 at RFUEA and 26-15 in Kampala during last year’s Legends Cup.

The Kenya Legends Rugby team has unveiled a 24-man squad set to take on the Uganda Legends in the opening leg of the Legends Cup scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at the iconic Kyadondo Rugby Football Club in Kampala.

The lineup boasts a blend of recent retirees and seasoned stalwarts, ensuring a formidable spectacle on the regional stage.

Among the headline inclusions are former Kenya sevens backrower Edwin “Pablo” Machanje and renowned investigative journalist John-Allan Namu.

However, Kenya will be without the services of prolific winger Collins Injera, his older brother Humphrey Kayange – both participants in the 2024 edition and Darwin Mukidza, who are all unavailable for this encounter.

Fresh off securing back-to-back titles last season under the leadership of captain Eddie Omondi, the Kenyan side aims to prolong its supremacy over Uganda.

Steering the team as head coach is former Impala tactician Oscar Osir.

The squad is further bolstered by notable names such as KCB Rugby head coach Oliver Mang’eni, Mwamba Ladies’ coach Tito Oduk, evergreen fly-half Kevin Gachoka, and ex-Heathens standout Vincent Mose.

They will also be joined by KCB RFC veteran Curtis Lilako, who hung up his boots in 2023 but returns for this symbolic clash for a second year.

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Supporting Coach Osir on the technical bench is George Onyango as the Strength & Conditioning Coach, George Odhiambo handling physiotherapy duties and Kevin Were serving as the Team Manager.

The last showdown between the two sides took place on Saturday, 29 September 2024 at the RFUEA Grounds, where Kenya claimed a 24-15 victory.

Prior to that, the Legends had bested Uganda 26-15 in the first leg, securing a 50-30 aggregate win.

This marked the second consecutive year Kenya Legends lifted the trophy, following a dominant 69-18 cumulative win in 2023.

The victory extended their winning streak over Uganda to four consecutive triumphs and they now set their sights on a fifth.

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Kenya rugby legends squad for Legends Cup 2025

1. Joel Ng’anga
2. Oliver Tambo
3. Curtis Lilako
4. Allan Namu
5. Odi Odera
6. George Asin
7. Wilson K’opondo
8. Tony Owuor
9. Eddie Omondi (Captain)
10. Steve Odhiambo
11. Ben Nyambu
12. Peter Tyrrell
13. Lewi Maina
14. Edwin Machanje
15. Evans Musili
16. Francis Ndonga
17. Solomon Munyua
18. Kevin Gachoka
19. Vincent Mose
20. Tito Oduk
21. George Okowa
22. Felix Osiemo
23. Oliver Mang’eni
24. Steve Ogada

Management Team

• Auka Gecheo – Team Owner
• Oscar Osir – Head Coach
• George Onyango – Strength & Conditioning Coach
• George Odhiambo – Physiotherapist
• K. Were – Team Manager

Previous meetings

Kenya 24-15 Uganda (September 2024, RFUEA Grounds)

Uganda 15-26 Kenya (June 2024, RFUEA Grounds)

Kenya 31-12 Uganda (September 2023, RFUEA Grounds)

Uganda 6-38 Kenya (May 2023, Legends Grounds)

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