Menengai Oilers rising star Samuel Ovwamu has expressed his excitement following his first-ever call-up to the national 15s rugby team, the Simbas, ahead of the Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Ovwamu, who played a crucial role in the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup finals against Kabras Sugar, has enjoyed an exceptional debut season at the top tier of Kenyan rugby.
For the young player, this call-up is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. “It’s something that I have been chasing since I was on campus at Daystar; I really wanted to get that call-up and an opportunity to express myself in the field because I believe I am capable of doing wonders,” he shared. The 22-year-old has shown immense promise during his first season with the Oilers, becoming a standout performer for the team.
Reflecting on his journey, Ovwamu acknowledged the challenges he has faced in his career. “It has come at the right time; it’s been an amazing journey since I started until now, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. It has had its fair share of challenges,” he said. Despite the obstacles, Ovwamu’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. His debut season with the Oilers has been a significant step forward in his rugby career, with the team’s success in both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup adding to his confidence.
Having joined the Menengai Oilers from Daystar Falcons in 2024, Ovwamu admits that the transition to the top-tier club wasn’t easy. Initially, he found himself feeling a little overwhelmed by the presence of established players, some of whom are already part of the Simbas or Kenya 7s teams. “When joining Oilers, I was a bit shy because I had met the big boys; transitioning from Daystar to Oilers where I was training alongside famous players who are already part of the Simbas or Kenya 7s set-up was not easy,” he said. Despite this, Ovwamu’s resolve to prove himself has been evident in his performances on the field.
He credits his improvement to the support he has received from his coaches. “I have put in the work and the coaches have really put in more effort to help me get where I am now. I just appreciate my coaches for the help they’ve given me in ensuring I improve my skills,” he added. This guidance has been instrumental in his development as a player and has helped him reach the level required to compete at the highest level of Kenyan rugby.
As the Simbas prepare for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers, Ovwamu has set his sights on making the final 33-man squad. “I will put my best foot forward in the upcoming camps to ensure I make the final squad,” he said, emphasizing his determination to be part of the team representing Kenya on the global stage.
The Simbas’ preparations for the qualifiers will begin with a residential training camp in Kakamega from May 11 to 18. After this, the squad will move to South Africa for high-performance camps, where they will undergo rigorous training and assessment. The first phase of the South African camp will run from May 28 to June 22 in Cape Town, where the Simbas will play against Currie Cup sides and engage in midweek contact sessions with local club and university teams.
The second phase of the camp will take place in Nylstroom from June 22 to 27, where the team will collaborate with the Blue Bulls, with matches scheduled against the Bulls’ Currie Cup squads. After this intense preparation, the Simbas will return to Kenya for a brief pre-departure camp before traveling to Uganda on July 3 for the qualifiers.
With Ovwamu’s hard work and determination, he has positioned himself as a promising young talent within the Simbas squad, and his journey is one to watch as Kenya prepares for the highly anticipated World Cup qualifiers.
