Kenya heads for Morocco
Mark Mshila (right) of Mombasa Sports Club passes the ball as he is tackled by Teddy Salano (partly hidden) of Mean Machine during their Eric Shirley Shield rugby match at Mombasa Sports Club. Mombasa won 7-5.
Impala scrum-half and national rugby team captain Moses Kola yesterday declared that Kenya had only one mission in Morocco Ð to win their African Rugby Confederation Supe Nine match against Morocco.
Kola leads 22 players to Casablanca for the match on Saturday. The team leaves today. It has been training under French coach Franck Fremont at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground.
Mark Mshila (right) of Mombasa Sports Club passes the ball as he is tackled by Teddy Salano (partly hidden) of Mean Machine during their Eric Shirley Shield rugby match at Mombasa Sports Club. Mombasa won 7-5.
Photo/Gideon Maundu
The nippy scrum half asked rugby fans to have faith in the team.
Fremont has been impressed by the improvisational skills and spirit of the Kenyan players. He has laid emphasis on the team’s defence and organisation.
On Saturday, the French Ambassador to Kenya Hubert Fournier said his country was willing to take the cultural co-operation to new levels.
"France is committed to sport and it is important for us to co-operate in this area also. You have good talent in Kenya especially in athletics and your seven-a-side rugby team is at par with ours," the ambassador acknowledged.
The Kenya Rugby Football Union vice chairman Ham Onsando has been frank about what he feels has been lacking in Kenya rugby. "We need more technical help, equipment and financial support. If we get this will be put it to good use," he promised.
Fournier who watched the national team train at the RFUEA promised to see what more he could do to help Kenyan rugby.
Kenya team
Joel Nganga (Kenya Harlequin), Frank Ndong (Impala), Mike Aung (Nondescripts), Derrick Wamalwa, Edwin Alubaka (Kenya Commercial Bank), Edward Kinyany (Quins), Franklyn Amiani (KCB), Paul Oimbo (Impala), Enos Otieno (Nakuru), Paul Murunga (unattached), Moses Kola (Impala), Anthony Ogot (KCB), John-Allan Namu (Nondies), Jude Thumbi (Quins), Peter Ocholla (Impala), Paul Sadat (Mean Machine), Dan Wekhu (Nondies), Reuben Kisaka (KCB), Innocent Simiyu (Impala), Tito Oduk, Sean Omondi (Quins) and Erick Situma (Impala).Officials: Thomas Odundo (head coach), Musembi Mumo (assistant coach), Wangila Simiyu (team manager), Christopher Makachia (physiotherapist), Peter Nduati (KRFU Director)
