NAIROBI June 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has named Paul Odera to replace New Zealand coach Ian Snook and lead the country's rugby 15s team to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.
However, to begin with Odera will have his task cut out as Kenya is scheduled to play Test matches against Germany, Portugal, Hong Kong of China and Romania in 2020.
"It will give us the rigorous shake that is critical to know which players are strong to last the challenge," said Odera on Saturday in Nairobi.
Kenya failed at the last hurdle in the qualification for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, when they lost to Namibia in the finals.
However, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has rolled out a potential plan that if successful will see the country qualify for its first World Cup in four years' time in France.
Odera takes over from New Zealander Ian Snook, whose two year tenure ended with failure to Kenya qualifying for the World Cup.
Already Odera has showed his class as he guided Kenya to win the Under-20 Africa Junior tournament in Nairobi to qualify for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy slated for Brazil next month.
Now Odera targets to change the thinking of the team, which had a disappointing 2018 season after missing out on qualification for this year's World Cup.
"I will work closely with Kenya Cup coaches to see that we select quality players from the league. The selection process and monitor each player closely to ensure we have the best crop of players who are hungry enough to fight for the country," Odera said in Nairobi.
