Samson Onsomu & Nato Simiyu both Resolution Impala Saracens scrum-half & fly-half respectively have been selected to start when the Kenya Simbas go against Chile in their first Regal Hotels Cup Of Nations tournament. HongKong on Friday 10th November 2017. Seje Owade is the only other Resolution Impala Saracens player in the starting line-up. Nato will be playing his first ever match with the Kenya Simbas ever since 2016. In an earlier interview with our media team, he revealed that work commitments kept him away from the national team, but now that he has taken up the challenge, we cannot wait to see him shoring up efforts for the Simbas. Samson Onsomu has had a very good rugby year. He came out of the Africa Gold Cup a force to reckon with, quickly switched to the shorter version of the game and played in Impala’s 2 NSC 2017 final appearances: Sepetuka & Christie 7s. Seje Owade seems to have solidified his centre position. He not only has fine fingers on the pass, but can also kick, chase and speed past defenders.
What probably raises eyebrows in 2017 is the inclusion of a renown ageless legend in the Simbas squad – Vincent Mose. We asked him why he still insists on wanting to come back to play even after writing history sometime back when he scored all of Kenya’s points in a match against Tunisia to win the CAR Cup. His reply: ’I never stopped playing. My job took me to Uganda and while there working as medical operations manager, I joined Heathens. So as you can see, I never stopped playing. I have since returned to the Resolution Insurance Headquarters in Nairobi and currently head the medical underwriting department. Since my body responded well to training, I challenged myself even more, worked harder and re-joined the Kenya Simbas. It is a critical time for Kenya. The World Cup qualifiers are on next year. We narrowly got shut out of the 2015 world cup and it would be very important if we made it to Tokyo 2019. It has not been easy juggling work, family and top flight rugby. All deserve attention. My typical day starts at 5 am and ends at 8pm. It is just interesting how at this point in life, I have to work harder and rest more to be able to keep up. So far, I can comfortably say that I am keeping up”. Mose will start as replacement full-back. Dennis Karani, the only Resolution Impala Saracens prop in the Kenya Simbas squad in HongKong will also start from the bench. Lock/flanker Eric Kerre also starts from the bench
Kenya vs Chile match day squad
1. Moses Amusala (KCB) 2. Peter Karia (KCB) 3. Curtis Lilako (KCB) 4. Wilson Kopondo (SportPesa Quins (c)), 5. Oliver Mang’eni (KCB) 6. George Nyambua (Kabras) 7. Davis Chenge (KCB) 8. Joshua Chisanga (Homeboyz) 9.Samson Onsomu (Resolution Impala Saracens) 10.Nato Simiyu (Resolution Impala Saracens) 11. Jacob Ojee (KCB) 12.Leo Seje (Resolution Impala Saracens) 13.David Ambunya (SportPesa Quins) 14.Darwin Mukidza (KCB) 15.Tony Onyango (Homeboyz)
Replacements 16. Philip Ikambili (Homeboyz) 17. Oscar Simiyu (KCB) 18. Dennis Karani (Resolution Impala Saracens) 19. Eric Kerre (Resolution Impala Saracens) 20. Lyle Asiligwa (SportPesa Quins) 21. Biko Adema (Nondescripts RUFC) 22. Peter Kilonzo (KCB) 23. Vincent Mose (Resolution Impala Saracens)
