Kenya's rugby team to play Uganda

NAIROBI, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Michael Aung has been named as captain for the Kenya 15's team that plays against Uganda on Saturday in Nairobi.

He steps in for the injured Innocent Simiyu. Aung believes that Kenya will measure up to the challenge against Uganda.

"There is so much going for this team especially after Telkom Orange came in as sponsors. The intensity during training only means that each player is ready to fly the Kenyan flag high," the captain said on Thursday.

But, Kenya's focus is still on the ultimate goal of reaching the Rugby World Cup. Kenya's preparations have been helped by a competitive Kenya Cup where the top five teams are only separated by three points. "We will miss Simiyu but there is so much leadership in this team," Aung noted.

Coach Michael 'Tank' Otieno added that the unavailability of several key players was beyond their control.

He explained that Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange had his permission to travel to London for Middlesex Sevens. "It is a high profile tournament and an honor for Kenya," Otieno acknowledged.

Gray Cullen, Gibson Weru and Benedict Nyambu are unavailable because of injury while Derrick Wamalwa was unwell.

For the first time in a long time, it has been a full-house during the training sessions. "I have not seen something like this for a long time," the coach said.

Otieno observed that the players were very motivated by the sponsors Telkom Orange. "The gap left by Simiyu will be quite big. He has been outstanding as a player and leader. We have had to juggle the backline to accommodate the injury," the coach said.