Nairobi — The national under-18 rugby team leaves tomorrow for their African Rugby Confederation Southern Zone semi-final match on Tuesday in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Kakamega High School rugby coach Ochieng' Ahaya who was in charge when Kenya defeated Uganda and Madagascar in Nairobi has been retained in the same position with Oliver Kituyi as team manager.

The 22-man squad which has barely trained for three days assembled at the Sadili Oval on Friday. Ahaya is expected back on Wednesday.

Both Kakamega High and St. Mary's (Nairobi) have five players each in the squad. Nakuru High have three.

The squad is Peter Ocholla (Imani School), Gerrison Lubanga, Ignatius Wendo, Abraham Wetete (Kakamega High), Collins Kimani, Evans Ojowi (Musingu), Felix Wanjala (Chevakali), Brian Simiyu (Dagoretti), Roy Mwaniki, Christopher Oduor (Upper Hill), Cherotich Nandi, David Kipnandi, Edmond Okwara (Nakuru High), Vincent Alusa (Kakamega), Nick Watila, Philip Wafula (Friends School Kamusinga), Methusellah Odongo (Kakamega), Biko Adema, Philip Muturi, Moses Wanyaga, Mwangi Kabeberi, Spencer Fondamiere (St. Mary's).

Elsewhere, Kenya teams will be travelling to Moshi, Tanzania for the annual Kilimanjaro seven-a-side tournament on October 2 at the International School Moshi's stadium. For the first time, teams from Uganda are expected at this tournament which has continued to grow in stature over the last four years.

Impala, the Kenya Rugby Football Union Sevens Circuit champions were among the first to confirm for the Tanzanian competition. Moshi rugby fans and players are evidently itching to see what the Kenya Sevens captain Oscar Osir is made of.

Other Kenyan teams include Mwamba - who have been beaten finalists in the Kilimanjaro Seven's for the last three years, Blak Blad, Nakuru, Les Gaulios, Nazarene University, Kenyan ender-19's and Egerton University.

The Ugandan Rugby Football Union intend to send Black Pirates and Sailors to Tanzania for the first time.

The teams flying the home flag in Moshi will be the Moshi Kili Cats, Arusha Rhinos and Dar es Salaam Leopards. Their coaches are encouraged by the fact the standard of rugby at the Kilimanjaro Sevens has been rising over the years.

The northern Tanzania Barbarians will also be fielding a star studded invitational team, which will include many international players.

Teams arrive on Friday and action starts from 8 am.