NAIROBI, August 4- Kenya 15s head coach, Jerome Paarwater, has made a single change to the side that beat Spain 36-27; replacing the injured Samuel Motari with Nick Barasa ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup clash away to Namibia.
Baraza returns from knee injury and will be looking to make an impact from the bench in Windhoek where a handsome win for Kenya to better what Zimbabwe will post against Tunisia will see them crowned champions.
Team manager, Wangila Simiyu, is confident the team is in good condition to reclaim the title they lost last year and expects a good performance from the boys.
“The toughest game we have ever played was against Spain and if the boys can bring out the technicality they used during that game we should overcome Namibia.
“Spiritually, the team is well prepared. Mentally, which is 65 percent of where the game is won or lost, that is psychological input, 40 to 45 percent is technical, (and) all those areas we’ve polished.
“We expect when we land at Jomo Kenyatta on Sunday, to come back with the Africa Cup, nothing short of that,” Simiyu declared during the naming of the travelling party of 22 on Tuesday.
He noted the team has improved with progress seeing the team shoot up to 28th, placing them in a position to move above the Spaniards who dropped a position to 20th following the defeat to Simbas last month.
“The players have supported them as a coaching team. The discipline level has been high and as a result led to the birth of dedication and commitment from the players,” he underlined.
Simbas opened their continental campaign with a dispiriting 20-28 loss to hosts Zimbabwe in June before hammering Tunisia 46-15 in their second fixture a month later.
The team leaves Thursday for Windhoek with the team manager claiming World Cup bound Namibia who have called up their foreign based legion for the clash will be under more pressure to perform.
“We played them last year in the World Cup qualifier and beat them, so our confidence is high and a win against them will improve our ranking,” he added.
SQUAD: 1. Moses Amusala – KCB; 2. Samuel Warui – Top Fry Nakuru; 3. Isaiah Nyariki – Top Fry Nakuru; 4. Curtis Lilako – KCB; 5. Peter Karia – KCB; 6. Ronnie Mwenesi – Total Nondies; 7. Oliver Mang’eni –KCB;8. Wilson Kopondo – Kenya Harlequin; 9. Michael Okombe – Top Fry Nakuru; 10. Brian Nyikuli – Resolution Impala Saracens (Captain); 11. Joshua Chisanga – Menengai Cream Homeboyz; 12. Lawrence Buyachi – Top Fry Nakuru; 13. Edwin Achayo – Kabras Sugar; 14. Robert Aringo – Resolution Impala Saracens; 15. Samuel Oliech – Resolution Impala Saracens; 16. Isaac Adimo – Kenya Harlequin; 17. Kelvin Omiyo – Top Fry Nakuru; 18. Nicodemus Barasa – Kabras Sugar; 19. Darwin Mukidza – KCB; 20. Jacob Ojee – KCB; 21. Vincent Mose – Resolution Impala Saracens; 22. Dennis Muhanji – Kenya Harlequin
Management: Jerome Paarwater – Head Coach; Charles Ngovi – Assistant Coach; Chris Makachia – Physio; Wangila Simiyu – Team Manager