The Kenya Sevens Rugby team has faced challenges in the last two Olympic Games, particularly in Rio where they finished 11th with only one victory. Their performance in Tokyo also fell short as they failed to advance past the group stages.
Since then, Shujaa has undergone significant changes, including dropping out of the HSBC Sevens series before reclaiming their spot under Kevin Wambua’s leadership.
The team has seen a shift from familiar faces to new players who played a crucial role in Kenya’s qualification for the Olympics, notably defeating South Africa in the Africa qualifiers.
Following rigorous training in Kenya, the team is currently in Miramas, France, intensifying their preparations for their first match against Argentina on July 24. Experienced player Herman Humwa has expressed satisfaction with how the team is settling in.
“The weather conditions in France are very good, playing Rugby under this condition is very well, the boys are adapting very well, as a team focusing on our defence and technical aspects in kick-off and set pieces and just to make sure our nitty-gritty is perfect,” he said
Kenya will be facing a huge task in their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time, facing Argentina, Australia and Samoa in their pool.
Argentina who won IRB Sevens circuit last season are among the favourites to win the Olympics title and Humwa is certain the campaign won’t be a walk in the Park.
However, he has backed the young players in the squad who will be making their first appearance in the games to step up and shine for the National team.
“The young players are up for the task and they are cooperating in terms of training and they are very confident being here, we just keep reminding them it’s just another game and I am sure they are equal to the takes,” Humwa added
His remarks have been echoed by strength and conditioning coach Chris Brown who will be handling the team for a second time.
Brown says it’s a good plan for the team to train in France ahead of the games. He remains confident the young players will step up in their group matches.
“They have experienced big moments in Rugby and they have responded very well, they are resilient and no doubt they will step up and register good results, that’s what they did in the Olympics qualifiers and Madrid which was not an easy task but they delivered,” he said
Brown was full of praise for head coach Kevin Wambua who has turned around the team’s fortune ever since he was named the head coach.
