Mwamba backrow George Mbaye who has been impressive for club and country has got the nod from coach Benjamin Ayimba for the next two tournaments of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series in Hong Kong and Australia.
The burly player who was called to the larger squad last year after a good run in the Kenya Rugby Football Union National Sevens Series was a non-traveling reserve for the last two legs in New Zealand and USA. “He has been quite impressive and is ready to be blooded,” Ayimba said.
Three players – Innocent Simiyu, Lavin Asego and Allan Onyango - return to the Virgin Atlantic Airways-sponsored team after missing the last two legs. Indeed, Asego, one of the best kickers in the IRB Sevens World Series will be playing in his first tournament of the season. He is only available for the Hong Kong leg only before returning home for pressing college work.
Also available for the Hong Kong leg only is another Mwamba player Horace Otieno. The two players will be replaced by Charles Kanyi and Edwin Shimenga in Adelaide, Australia.
Humphrey Kayange retains the captains’ band with Dennis Mwanja as his assistant.
The team was named by Ayimba on March 18, 2008 after a rigorous training session at Brookhouse School last weekend.
Sasha Mutai, the KRFU Director incharge of seven-a-side rugby acknowledged that Hong Kong is a rich hunting ground for points, which the team intends to exploit. “It is possible to gun for a semi-final place and collect 18 points,” Mutai said.
An added incentive is a $100,000 prize money for the winners, $25,000 for the runners-up and $12,500 for the third-placed team. “We have faith in the team and preparations this time have been much better than the last two legs. The players are motivated and have a big boost after being named as the Team of the Year by organizers of the Sportsman of the Year Awards recently,” the Director said.
Ayimba maintained the ultimate goal for Kenya is to qualify for the next Rugby World Cup Sevens next year in Dubai. “We can only realise this by doing well in the circuit,” the coach explained.
Dennis Mwanja, the assistant captain said Kenya was being referred to as the Fiji of Africa because of their explosive pace and exciting play, which matches that of the Pacific Islanders. “Training has been intense and this is the best squad,” he acknowledged.
The KCB utility player said their heads were up and ready for the task ahead.
Ayimba admitted the Pool E in Hong Kong where Kenya will play Scotland, Portugal and China is tricky. “We know what Scotland is capable of. Portugal is quite stubborn if given a chance. I cannot talk about China because we have not played them recently. Kenya would like to finish top of the log after the first two days. This team is balanced and mature.
Adelaide will be our toughest challenge. Fiji has strengthened their squad. England are wounded about a small African team which has beaten them twice. I prefer playing a wounded lion. France have not had a good run and will have a point to prove,” Ayimba commented.
Mwanja summed up the feelings of the players that points can only be won on the pitch and they were ripe for more.
The squad
Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba) – captain, Dennis Mwanja (Kenya Commercial Bank) – vice captain, Peter Ocholla, Naftali Bondo (Impala), Victor Oduor, Collins Injera, Horace Otieno and Lavin Asego (Hong Kong only), George Mbaye (Mwamba), Allan Onyango, Innocent Simiyu (Kenya Harlequin FC), Charles Kanyi – Adelaide only, Biko Adema (Nondescripts), Edwin Shimenga (Nakuru RFC) - Adelaide only. Non-traveling reserve: Leon Adongo (Kenya Harlequin FC).
Officials: Benjamin Ayimba (head coach), Felix Ochieng (assistant coach), Oscar Osir (team manager), George Odhiambo (physiotherapist).
