Three Silverback players left the country yesterday to join their counterparts in the GFI East Africans, a franchise side representing East Africa, for their second outing at the annual GFI Hong Kong 10s. 

This year’s edition of the annual tournament kicks off on Wednesday at the Hong Kong Football Club.

The trio includes; Lion de Fer’s centre Cambara Marcel Koko and Remera Buffaloes pair of full back and Vincent Kamali and prop Benjamin Akami Makombe.

Speaking to Sunday Sport before departure, Kamali said he was confident of a better performance this year after bowing out in last year’s edition at the Bowl semi-finals 38-7 to French side, UBB Gavekal.

"It was a big tournament last year, we played against professional teams, but I’m confident this year we will be better because, we have a stronger reinforcements from Ugandans and Kenyans.”

However, the Silverbacks skipper noted that the Rwandan trio would have to work hard for a place in the starting ten.

"We have to do our best because to get picked by the coach for the tournament, we have to play harder but we are ready, we have trained and have been playing in the league.”

Debutant Koko said it was an opportunity to gauge his skills as a player against professional opponents. 

The dynamic center replaced former colleague at Lion de Fer, prop Olivier Nikwigize, who is out of the country and was among the original trio alongside Kamali and Makombe. 

The trio joins 11 others from Uganda and Kenya in the 14 man squad including Kelvin Amiyo (Ken), Raymond Ochieng (Kenya), Philip Achieng (Kenya), Micheal Wokorach (Uganda), Mathias Ochwo Azalia (Uganda), Ivan Kevin Makmot (Uganda), Eric Kasita (Uganda), James Ijongat (Uganda), Alan Otim (Uganda) and George Olwo (Uganda). 

GFI East Africans was put together by former national team coach Dave Hughes, who has also been responsible for the Silverback’s previous participation in the in the prestigious tens tournament and the Kowloon Rugby Fest, the 10s sister version to 10s tournament. 

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