The Punter
2 July 2009
Nairobi — Seven new players, including eight national seven-a-side team players' have been named in the national 15s rugby team which is due to depart on Sunday for the Africa Rugby Confederation Trophy competition in Morocco.
In the team is Patrice Agunda, who was pivotal in the Kenya Under-20 team's fourth-place finish in the International Rugby Board Junior World Rugby Trophy. Others are Peter Kepha Odera (Strathmore University), Leon Adongo (Kenya Harlequin), Denis Abenga, Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru RFC), and Benedict Nyambu and Gray Cullen (Nondescripts RUFC).
The Shujaa (sevens) players are Nyambu, Charles Kanyi, Innocent Simiyu, Naftaly Bondo, Adongo, Wilson Kopondo, Gibson Weru and Victor Oduor.
Coach Michael "Tank" Otieno explained the absence of some national sevens players, saying they needed to rest after a long season that culminated in their winning the 14th Safari Sevens last month.
"They need a break, but we have a good blend who should be able to complete the job in Morocco," Otieno said.
Telkom Kenya's commercial communications manager, Josephine Gathithi, yesterday presented the team with cell phones as a send-off gift. The firm's brand, Orange, is the team's official sponsor.
Kenya play Senegal in the opener on Wednesday while the hosts tackle Cameroon. The final is next Saturday. Kenya were third last year in Madagascar after they beat Cote d'Ivoire 22-10.
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