Elgon Cup: No margin for error for Kenya Simbas as Uganda seek to complete double over them to end 11-year title drought

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RUGBY Elgon Cup: No margin for error for Kenya Simbas as Uganda seek to complete double over them to end 11-year title drought

Joel Omotto 10:00 - 11.11.2023

Kenya Simbas can ill afford another poor performance in Kisumu on Saturday as Uganda are looking to silence them for the second time in a week and win a first Elgon Cup since 2012

Kenya Simbas will be out to seek redemption when they host Uganda in the second leg of the Elgon Cup at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium at Mamboleo, Kisumu on Saturday.

Simbas suffered a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Uganda in the Victoria Cup title decider in Kampala last weekend, which also acted as the Elgon Cup first leg, and cannot afford another poor performance, especially on home ground.

Kenya were let down by basic errors in defence, tacking as well as ill-discipline, handing Uganda up to five penalties and will be keen to right those wrings in Kisumu on Saturday afternoon.

Simbas will welcome back head coach Jerome Paarwater who was absent from the tour of Uganda and he has made five changes to the squad that lost in Kampala for the clash in Kisumu.

Kenya Simbas team news

Two of these changes are in the front row where Eugene Sifuna returns to start at hooker after missing the tour of Uganda due to academic commitments. He is partnered by Ephraim Oduor at loose head and Hillary Mwanjilwa at tight head. The duo start ahead of Wilhite Mususi and Teddy Akala who are among the match day replacements.

Elekeans Musonye returns at openside flank after starting from the bench last weekend as Paul Mutsami is given the nod at inside center, partnering Bryceson Adaka in midfield while Derrick Ashiundu returns to the wing, replacing Alfred Orege who misses out on the match day squad through injury.

Also missing out on the match day squad are Emmanuel Otieno, Reinhard Mwalati and Walter Okoth while Andrew Matoka has made a good enough recovery to be included among the replacements. Shem Okola starts from the bench and is line for his debut.

Jone Kubu and Brian Wahinya swap places in positional changes made to the backline. Kubu will start at flyhalf with Wahinya slotting in at fullback.

When and where to watch

The match will kick off at 4pm and will be live on KCB TV.

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Last weekend’s win was Uganda’s second victory over Kenya in a row after also beating the Simbas 17-13 in January 2019, the last time the Elgon Cup was played.

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