Kenya Sevens players attending the first training under new head coach Innocent Simiyu.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 24 – Veteran Humphrey Kayange and Nondescripts fly half Biko Adema are the notable exclusions as the newly appointed Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent Simuyu announced the provisional squad for the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens season.
The duo were also omitted by former head coach Benjamin Ayimba for the Safari Sevens and Africa Cup with Kayange reported to be thinking about retirement.
Simiyu, who held his first training at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday, has included three new faces in the squad of 25 players ahead of the season opening Dubai Sevens to be held on the weekend of December 2.
Impala Saracens’ Derrick Mayar, Strathmore’s Elton Isiaho and Kabras’ Aluda Beda who was the top points scorer during the recently concluded Kenya Rugby Union National Sevens Series have all earned maiden call ups.
Simiyu has maintained most of the players who did duty for the team last season led by skipper Andrew but is expected to trim the squad to 20 later this week.
Kenya 7s coach Innocent Namcos Simiyu.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
Regular players; Andrew Amonde, Oscar Ouma, Willy Ambaka, record all-time world try scorer Collins Injera, Billy Odhiambo, Samuel Oliech, Augustine Lugonzo, Dennis Ombachi, Bush Mwale and Oscar Ayodi have all been recalled from the team that finished seventh on 98 points last season.
Dan Sikuta, Frank Wanyama, Leonard Mugaisi, Alvin Otieno, Eden Agero, Cyprian Kuto, Martin Owilla, Darwin Mukidza, Alex Olaba and Nelson Oyoo are all making a comeback after being involved with the national team in past World Series tournaments.
The players will return to training this week before the head coach names his final squad of 20 players to be handed contracts by KRU.
The squad will then tour Namibia in three weeks time for a training camp as well as taking part in a tournament before returning home for a short break as focus shifts to Simiyu’s first season in charge of the team he once played for as captain.
Kenya Sevens Provisional Training Squad;
Andrew Amonde (KCB, Captain), Dan Sikuta, Aluda Beda, Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar), Derrick Mayar, Ian Minjire, Samuel Oliech (Resolution Impala Saracens), Elton Isiaho, Alex Olaba (Strathmore Leos), Oscar Ouma, Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru), Willy Ambaka, Eden Agero, Frank Wanyama (Kenya Harlequin), Collins Injera, Billy Odhiambo, Dennis Ombachi (Mwamba), Martin Owilla, Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Alvine Otieno, Leonard Mugaisi, Bush Mwale, Cyprian Kuto, Oscar Ayodi, Augustine Lugonzo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz)
