Defending African champions Kenya, named a strong side for their opener against Namibia at the Mahamasina stadium in Madagascar.
What a way to start the qualifiers, as the two enter this tournament as hot favourites to lift the African title and get the automatic ticket to the 2015 world cup. The two come into this match with some notable absentees, influential Namibian captain Jacques Burger who plays his rugby for the Saracens and William Ambaka for Kenya who plays his rugby for French side LOU.
Despite the absentees, both sides have put their best 23 for this crucial encounter. Namibia will be led by Pj Van Lill who will start in the number 8 jersey, Van Lill plies his trade in France for Stade Aurillac.
The Namibian squad is scattered with players who play professionally in Europe or neighbouring South Africa. Fly half Theuns Kotze another notable face, having had a stellar showing in the 2011 World cup, alongside Jaco Engels who played for the Kings.
On their part, Kenya have turned to their sevens stars to boost the squad, flier Collins Injera starts at open wing, he is joined by brother Humphrey Kayange at outside centre, Patrice Agunda at inside centre and Lavin Asego at fly half.
The rest of the squad remains largely as was in the Vodacom cup, Dennis Muhanji fills in at blind side winger with Tony Onyango completing the back three. The Kenyans will be without young back row Joshua Chisanga for this match, with an equally exciting Martin Owilla taking up the starting berth.
Speaking ahead of the match, Kenya head coach Jerome Paarwater noted that they expected the Namibians to rely on their big pack to out muscle his side. He pointed out that the side will be up for the challenge. Thus expect the Kenyans to use their fluid back line and the pairing of Edwin Achayo and Lavin Asego to make sure the side plays in the right areas of the turf.
It is expected to be a cracker of a match, with Namibia going in as favourites, looking to make their fifth consecutive appearance at the World cup. Historically, Namibia have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning 6 of the 7 matches played between these two to date.
The latest meeting was at the Windhoek Tri Nations in Namibia ended in a 55-35 win for the hosts. It is expected that the winner in this one will have made a big leap towards qualification, taking nothing away from Madagascar and Zimbabwe.
This one sets up the proverbial battle between grit and flair, the Namibians are expected to keep the pill mainly in the forwards, with the Kenyans expected to run their opponents rugged.
Here are the Line ups :
Namibia – 1. Jaco Engels, 2. Rathony Bekker, 3. Andre Schlechter, 4. Tinus du Plessis, 5. Morne Blom, 6. Rohan Kitschof, 7. Renaldo Bothma, 8. PJ van Lill (C), 9. Arthur Bouwer, 10. Thuens Kotze , 11. Heinrich Smit, 12. Johan Deysel, 13. Darryl de la Harpe, 14. David Poeding Philander , 15. Chrysander Botha.
The match kicks off at 1:00 pm Kenyan time, wherever you are, whatever you will be doing, make sure you catch this match, it will be broadcast live on Super sport 9.
KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!
