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Kenya bank on teenage sensation to tame Zimbabwe in Africa clash

Xinhua, July 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya' s 15s are banking on a teenage sensation to prove the difference when they take on Zimbabwe in a Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Division 1A match-up in Harare on Saturday.

Homeboyz RFC's Kevin Masai, 19, earned rave reviews for his performances in the national top league, Kenya Cup, this season and his inclusion in the side has notched up a buzz in a country hoping to reclaim the title they last won in 2011.

Masai is the ace up South Africa' s head coach Jerome Paarwater' s sleeve after the coach rolled out his squad of 23 in Nairobi on Wednesday with the youngster hoping to make his Kenya Simbas debut against the Zimbabwe Sables.

"His understanding and reading of the game is very accurate and I believe he deserved a place in this squad to face Zimbabwe. His discipline and composure in the game makes his one of the best players in the squad and I think his ability can help the team in its CAR title conquest," Team Manager, Wangila Simiyu said in glowing appraising the rising start.

The teenage sensation will look forward to emulating Erik Keere and Simon Muniafu who have thrived in their debut year with the Simbas.

"Keere and Muniafu made their senior debut early this year and their performances for the national team have been eye catching and we expect Masai to excel as well," Wangila emphasised.

The Simbas are out to reverse last year' s 20-28 to Zimbabwe where they believe rattling the Sables will lay the foundation to reclaim the title that has been held by Namibia for the past two seasons.

Max Adaka and veteran Innocent Simiyu returned to the squad after injuries kept them out of the recent victory over Brazil in a Test clash and captain Brian Nyikuli believes their return will boost his side.

"Our weekend match will be tough and the return of key players will ease up the pressure as we gear to take on Zimbabwe," Nyikuli added.

Four teams will play home or away matches with the winner to be declared African champion as the bottom team get relegated to Division 1B in 2017.

Second round of matches will see Simbas travel to Namibia on July 16 where the latter that boasts of the bulk of its squad playing in South Africa won 46-13 last season.

Zimbabwe will then host Uganda on July 23 before the final round of matches set for July 30 and August 6 where Kenya will entertain Uganda and Zimbabwe travel to Namibia.

SIMBAS SQUAD

Forwards

Moses Amusala , Curtis Lilako, Peter Karia (KCB), Sammy Warui, Mike Okombe (Top Fry), Brian Nyikuli, Tony Owuor (Pan Africa Strathmore leos) , James Kang' ethe, Joseph Kang' ethe (Kenya Harlequin), Simon Muniafu, Eric Keere (Resolution Impala Saracens), Max Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Dan Sikuta (Mwamba).

BACKS

Edwin Achayo, Nick Barasa, Fabian Olando (Kabras Sugar), Isaac Adimo, David Ambunya, Dennis Muhanji (Kenya Harlequin), Kelvin Masai (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Innocent Simiyu(Resolution Impala Saracens), Tony Onyango (Pan African Strathmore Leos). Endit