Kenya “A” Team Manager Newton Ongalo has revealed that his side are hungry for success ahead of the first leg of the 2015 Rugby Elgon Cup on 13th June, Saturday.
Uganda Rugby Cranes will take on Kenya in Nairobi, with the return leg in Kampala a week later, and Ongalo says his side “are hungry for success and are keen to excel” in a bid to retain the Elgon Cup title they claimed last year.
Cranes suffered loss in Kenya last year, dropping a 21-14 result advantage that had been earned courtesy of Kevin Makmot and Bishop Onen’s brilliance in the first leg in Kampala.
Kenya overturned the result, completely shaming the Rugby Cranes with a comprehensive 34-00 win in the second leg, and confident Ongalo adds that a similar feat is bound to reoccur in Nairobi thanks to the young talent coming through.
“We are confident of retaining the title with this squad which is essentially a transitioning squad as we have a number of upcoming players coming through from Chipu (Kenya U-19s) as well as players coming through from the Kenya Cup league,” he told kenyacup.com.
Kenya have lined up a 30 man squad that has been in residential training for the past fortnight. Seven players are likely not to feature in the side that faced Uganda last year according to kenyacup.com.
The players are Edwins Makori, Philip KWame, Rocky Aguko, Eden Agero, Ken Moseti,Elkins Musonye and Felix Wanjala. Meanwhile Cyprian Kuto has been included to the fresh side following his appearances for the Kenya Sevens and Simbas respectively.
The Rugby Cranes started training in early March and look forward to a new start with new head coach Joe Beukes who replaced Peter Magona. Magona resigned in July last year after losing the Elgon Cup.
Kenya’s Elgon Cup training squad
Nelson Nyandatt, McLanhan Sikuku (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos), OScar Simiyu (KCB), Francis Akatu (Mwamba), George Asin (KCB), Brian Otieno (Mwamba), Philip Kwame (TOp Fry Nakuru), Michael Gitau (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos),Davis Makori (Resolution Impala Saracens), Elton Isiaho (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos),Edwins Makori (Top Fry Nakuru), Rocky Aguko (KCB), Stafford Abeka (KCB),Elkins Musonye (Western Bulls), Humphrey Mulama (Homeboyz),Charles Omondi (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos),Felix Wanjala (KCB), Victor Wayodi (Mwamba), Harun Lubisia (Homeboyz), Max Kang’eri (Homeboyz), Anthony Nyandigisi (Resolution Impala Saracens),Brian Omondi (KCB), Cyprian Kuto (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos), Alvin Otieno (Homeboyz), William Mawira (Kenya Harlequin), Duncan Abuyeka (Western Bulls),Essau Otieno (KCB)
Head Coach: Mitch Ocholla
Assistant Coach: Curtis Olago
S&C: Mike Shamiah
Physio: Joseph Koli
Team Manager: Newton Ong’alo
Also related to this story
Rugby Cranes In For A Trial Off Intensive Training With New Coach Beukes
Ugandan Rugby is blessed by raw talent – Coach Joe Beukes
Could the Under-19s be Key to redemption of Ugandan Rugby?
Rugby Cranes Coach Magona Resigns
Has the 2014 Elgon Cup Divulged Deterioration In Ugandan Rugby?
2014 ELGON CUP: Kenya A thrash Rugby Cranes to claim the Honours
2014 ELGON CUP: Lionesses Crowned Champions, Kenya U-19 Win For Comeback