The Elgon Cup bragging rights will be on the line when Kenya host Uganda in a mouth-watering contest at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu at 4 pm on Saturday.
This will be the second meeting between the two sides in less than a week, having clashed in the Victoria Cup final last weekend in Kampala with the Cranes winning it 21-20.
A dejected Simbas assistant coach Carlos Katywa lambasted his charges for a woeful display and he is expecting a massive improvement on home soil.
“The boys did not play according to instructions. We must rectify some facets of play and play smart rugby on Saturday,” said Katywa.
The Kabras head coach said he would want his charges to dominate the collision, win the setpiece battle and the breakdown too.
“The three areas are going to be key for us. It's not easy to integrate 13 new players into the team but we are making progress,” added Katwya.
The Simbas have made five changes to the squad, two in the front row where Eugene Sifuna returns to start at hooker after missing the tour of Uganda due to academic commitments.
He partners Ephraim Oduor, at loosehead, and Hillary Mwanjilwa, at tighthead. The duo starts ahead of Wilhite Mususi and Teddy Akala, who are on the bench.
Elkeans Musonye returns at openside flank after coming off the bench in last Sunday’s encounter as Paul Mutsami gets the nod at inside centre, partnering Bryceson Adaka in midfield while Derrick Ashiundu returns to the wing, replacing the injured Alfred Orege.
Jone Kubu and Brian Wahinya swap places in the backline, Kubu starting at flyhalf with Wahinya slotting in at fullback.
The Simbas have won 12 Elgon Cup titles (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) with Uganda winning three times (2006, 2012 and 2015)
The match will be curtain-raised by a clash between the Kenya Lionesses and Uganda Cranes at 2 pm.
15.Brian Wahinya, 14. Joel Inzuga, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. Paul Mutsami, 11. Derrick Ashiundu, 10. Jone Kubu, 9. Barry Young, 1. Ephraim Oduor, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Hillary Mwanjilwa, 4. Hibrahim Ayoo, 5. Hillary Odhiambo, 6. George Nyambua (Captain), 7. Elkeans Musonye, 8. Jeanson Misoga
REPLACEMENTS 16. Teddy Akala, 17. Thomas Okidia, 18. Wilhite Mususi, 19. Brian Ndirangu, 20. Peter Waitere, 21. Dan Ang’wech, 22. Shem Okola (debut), 23. Andrew Matoka.
