Shujaa will be without co-captain Tony Onyango for this weekend’s Safari Sevens tournament in Machakos, as announced by assistant coach Louis Kisia. Onyango had requested time off to attend to personal matters. “He told us a couple of weeks ago that he is attending to personal matters and will not be available for the tournament,” said Kisia.
Onyango’s absence adds to the challenges for the defending champions, who are already missing the other co-captain, Vincent Onyala (knee strain), as well as players John Okoth (shin bone injury), Brina Tanga (wrist), Chrisant Ojwang (hamstring), and Lamech Ambetsa (hamstring).
Despite the setbacks, Kisia, who is also the Impala coach, is confident that the team has enough depth to retain the trophy. “We have a big pool of players to choose from. Those picked will have an opportunity to solidify their slots in the team with the World Sevens Series on the horizon,” he added.
The new players have integrated well with the veterans over the past two weeks, and Kisia expects fierce competition for selection in both the Shujaa and Morans teams. “The new boys have trained well. They are learning the rigours of Sevens. We hope to name two strong teams that we hope will go all the way,” he said.
Kisia anticipates tough competition from regional rivals such as Africa Sevens champions Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Shogun RFC (formerly Samurai), coached by former Kenya Sevens coach Mike Friday. “We have had close battles with the three teams and it won’t be different this time around. The nature of Sevens is unpredictable but the boys are prepared for the task at hand,” Kisia remarked.
The tournament will feature 10 teams, including Zimbabwe, Uganda, Qatar, Red Wailers, and Shogun, while the hosts will field four teams — Shujaa, Morans, Quins, and a Varsity Select side. In the women’s category, the Uganda Lady Cranes, Costa Blanca Barbarians, Shogun, Tunisia, and Kenyan sides, the Lionesses and the Cubs, will compete. An age-grade competition with seven school teams is also set to begin on Friday.
