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Kenya’s rugby 15-aside national team Simbas players are reported to have downed their tools over what they term as non-payment of allowances during their stay in Dubai for the 2023 rugby World Cup repêchage.

According to close sources, senior players led the boycott forcing head coach Paul Odera to postpone their last training ahead of their final repêchage game against Hong Kong.

“Yes, it’s true. The players led by our seniors boycotted today’s training after the players seemed demoralized. The technical bench tried all the best to prevent a players’ boycott to no avail,” the source, which did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue, said.

Additionally, the source revealed how the boys reportedly feel abandoned by the federation (KRU) and the government, which has added to their demoralisation.

Efforts to get comments from KRU top officials proved futile as calls went unanswered.

Before the boycott, the national team had lost two crucial games to the USA and Portugal respectively with humiliating scores.

Simbas are set to play Hong Kong on Friday in a dead rubber fixture for the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier match.

Simbas’ bid for a first-ever World Cup appearance evaporated in thin air when they lost 85-0 to Portugal on Saturday, following on from their 68-14 loss to the Americans.