After the opening win against Namibia at the weekend, head coach Jerome Paarwater has made a total of 11 changes to the side that registered the 29-22 win.
Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde will lead the side out on Wednesday, he is among 7 changes in the forwards. Only Oliver Mangeni retains his starting berth in the forwards, he is joined by Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange and Dennis Muhanji in the backs.
This move could prove a high risk for the side as many would have preferred sticking to the winning combination and riding that wave. Speaking before the team departed, Jerome noted that the 3 side we are going up against offer different opposition.
While the Namibians were more direct in their play, preferring to keep the ball in the forwards. The hosts are a whole different cup of tea, they are not the most gifted side physically, but they play a very quick flowing brand of rugby with some great support play.
The Makis caused the Zimbabwe Sables a load of problems in the first half of their encounter and had things gone their way, the result would have looked a lot different.
We seem to have set up to counter the Makis with a more mobile set of forwards, the front row of Moses Amusala, Max Adaka and Curtis Lilako. Ronnie Mwenesi partnering Oliver Mang’eni at lock with Joshua Chisanga and Davis Chenge joining Andrew Amonde in the back row.
Lyle Asiligwa partners Ken Andola at half back with Nick Barasa replacing Quins counterpart Patrice Agunda at inside centre to partner Humphrey Kayange in mid field. Collins Injera and Dennis Muhanji are joined by Mike Agevi who starts at 15.
This will be the fourth meeting between the sides, Madagascar having won two with the sides drawing 24 all in their latest fixture in 2005. The Makis lost their first match in this tournament 57-22 to Zimbabwe. This fixture will be a do or die for them, and with the rapturous home crowd, it’s going to be a very tough fixture.
The technical bench has shown the ultimate faith in this squad, being able to make such drastic changes at such a stage. The best part is this side has the same quality as the one that took on Namibia and is capable of recording a second win here.
With a strong bench complementing the side, the Kangethe twins, Wilson Kopondo, Martin Owila for the forwards. Edwin Achayo, Lavin Asego and Patrice Agunda in the backs.
The other fixture will see Namibia take on Zimbabwe, in a must win for Namibia more than it is for the Sables. If Namibia beat Zimbabwe, and we beat Madagascar then we will be all but done here.
Currently Zimbabwe lead the log on 5 points, tied with Kenya the Sables edging the Lions on points differential. Namibia are on 1 point with Madagascar rounding up the log with no points after round 1.
Here is the squad in full :
15. Michael Agevi, 14. Collins Injera, 13. Humphrey Kayange, 12. Nick Barasa, 11. Dennis Muhanji, 10 . Kenny Andola, 9. Lyle Asiligwa, 8. Joshua Chisanga, 7. Davis Chenge, 6. Andrew Amonde (captain), 5. Oliver Mang’eni, 4. Ronnie Mwenesi, 3. Moses Amusala, 2. Maxwell Adaka, 1. Curtis Lilako
Replacements
16. Samuel Warui, 17. Joseph Kang’ethe, 18. James Kang’ethe, 19. Wilson K’Opondo, 20. Martin Owila, 21. Edwin Achayo, 22. Lavin Asego, 23. Patrice Agunda
Match kicks off at 3:00 pm Kenya time and will be broadcast live on Super sport 9, let’s hope that we don’t have any ‘technical problems’ this time round.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
