Paarwater urges Simbas to utilise home advantage in Zim

KENYA Simbas coach Jerome Paarater has urged his charges to make home advantage count when they face Zimbabwe Goshawks in a Currie Cup match on Saturday. The Simbas host the southern Africans in Nakuru in the first of three games on home soil. The Simbas controversially lost 35-28 to the Welwitschias of Namibia last weekend with the winning try deemed to have been scored despite a player from Namibia having his foot in touch in the build-up.

The Simbas have won just once, 3026 against Border Bulldogs, in four matches and Paarwater believes these three final games at home will be a big boost to the team.

"The boys have been in South Africa for the last two months and are back at home now. With the backing of the fans and a familiar environment, I do believe they will deliver,” noted Paarwater.

The South African tactician has also hailed the improvement of the side since the tournament started in April.

“We lost our first two games by 11 points, won our third before losing our last game to Namibia by seven points. It shows the hard work the boys are putting in the training and we want to finish strongly,” observed Paarwater.

The team arrived in the country from Windhoek, Namibia on Monday and held their first training session at the Nakuru Athletic Club on Wednesday.

The match against Zimbabwe will be part of a rugby extravaganza that will feature the two-day Great Rift Valley 10-aside tournament.

Kenya beat Zimbabwe 36-14 the last time the two sides met in Nakuru during the 2019 Victoria Cup but Paarwater expects a stern test this time round.

“It will be a tough game. They are a good side, full of quality. We have to be well prepared for them,” he added.

The Simbas are also scheduled to face Valke on May 27 and SWD Eagles on June 3 at the RFUEA. Simbas are eighth on the log with seven points.