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Kenya's rugby 15s team eyes Zimbabwe scalp in Africa Cup

Xinhua, June 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Revenge will be in the air on Saturday when Kenya takes on Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Division 1A Championship match in Zimbabwe.

The team, which departs on Thursday for the Zimbabwe capital, will remember that the southern African side was responsible for their miss of the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals in England the last time they met in 2014.

Kenya lost 10-28 to Zimbabwe in a match they required to win to go to London for the World Cup final.

Kenya' s Head coach Jerome Paarwater of South Africa, has made changes in his 15s squad, bringing on board Lawrence Buyachi and Davis Chenge in places of Emmanuel Mavala and Martin Owillah. Another player dropped is prop Duncan Mwangi.

"The match at hand is important and we must do well. Kenya need to stamp its authority in the sport," said Paarwater Tuesday in Nairobi.

Team manager Simiyu Wangila said though it will be good to claim their revenge, the team's focus will be on reclaiming the continental title and improve on the rankings.

"Our focus is to start the championship on a positive note. It is a different match from last year's meeting. So if we go with revenge motives, then we won't win it," said Wangila.

"We made changes because based on the challenge Zimbabwe poses. Those were tactical changes and I believe the experience of Buyachi and Chenge will add value to the team." he said.

Kenya's second string team will be in Nairobi playing against Uganda in the 2015 Elgon Cup. Kenya will then play against Tunisia on June 28 in Nairobi to finalise their quest for the Africa title. Endi