The Kenyan rugby sevens team, Shujaa, is gearing up to maintain their impressive form as they kick off the Challenger Sevens series in Montevideo, Uruguay, today.
Fresh from their victory at the Dubai leg in January, where they secured a triumphant win over Chile in the final with a score of 12-5, head coach Kevin Wambua anticipates a challenging competition over the three-day tournament.
Having arrived in the Uruguayan capital on Monday night, the team engaged in a light training session on Tuesday, with Wambua expressing satisfaction with the squad’s readiness for the tournament.
“We had quite a long flight, but the team is in high spirits. Our aim, similar to our performance in Dubai, is to reach the semifinals. We understand the competition will be fierce, but we have a strategic plan in place to stay ahead,” stated Wambua.
Kenya commenced their campaign against Portugal, a team Wambua regards as formidable due to their flair and physicality. He emphasized the team’s determination to bounce back from their previous performance in Dubai and highlighted the need for top-notch performance to secure victory.
Shujaa’s upcoming matches include a tough encounter against Georgia, where Wambua plans to deploy a fast-paced game to counter their physicality. The final pool match against Tonga, the reigning Challenger Seven series winner, is anticipated to be a decisive clash.
In a bid to strengthen the squad, Wambua is set to introduce debutants Lameck Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang, and Elvis Olukusi, while seasoned players Ben Salem of Nondies and Dennis Abukuse of Oilers make their return.
Meanwhile, Kenya Lionesses, led by coach Dennis Mwanja, are also ready to make their mark in the tournament. With speed star Janet “Shebesh” Okello returning to the starting lineup, the team aims to improve on their previous performance, having lost to China in the final in January.
Their opening match against Hong Kong China will set the tone for their campaign, followed by a clash against Papua New Guinea before concluding with a match against Belgium on Saturday evening.
