NAIROBI, Kenya, June 9 – Patrice Agunda will make his international debut for Kenya against Zimbabwe in the Victoria Cup on Saturday.The Kenya Harlequins centre will line up alongside captain Innocent Simiyu in the centres while Victor Sudi and Peter Abuoga occupy the wing berths.
"Zimbabwe has been a strong nation in African rugby. Do not underestimate them. I expect them to have strong forwards and great skill levels," said Kenya coach Michael Otieno.
Mean Machine bruiser Wilson Kopondo starts in the second row alongside stalwart Michael Aung while David Mogere, Ben Nyambu and Paul Oimbo form an all action backrow.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) captain Edwin Alubaka is on the bench together with Quins tyro hoping to cap off a meteoric rise by coming on as a substitute at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) grounds.
Kenya have faced Zimbabwe nine times with Otieno’s side winning the last two encounters in 2002 and 2003.
Saturday’s match against the 1987 Rugby World Cup participants is the first match for Kenya ahead of a marathon test season for Kenya which includes the Elgon Cup and the CAR trophy.
Squad:
1. Daniel Kiptoo (Quins), 2. Vincent Ongera (Quins), 3.Joel Ng’anga (Quins), 4. Wilson K’Opondo (Machine), 5. Michael Aung (Nondies), 6. Ben Nyambu (Nondies), 7. David Mogere (Quins), 8. Paul Oimbo (Impala), 9. Peter Mutai (KCB), 10. Nato Simiyu (Impala), 11. Peter Abuoga (Quins), 12. Patrice Agunda (Quins), 13. Innocent Simiyu (Impala, Captain),14. Victor Sudi (Quins), 15. Vincent Mose (Impala)
Bench:
16. Edwin Alubaka (KCB),17. Nzioka Muema (Impala), 18. Tony Mutai (Quins), 19. Andrew Amonde (KCB), 20. Charles Kanyi (Nondies), 21. David Ambunya (Quins), 22. Naftaly Bondo (Quins)
