Shujaa land Canada, France at Malaga Sevens
Shujaa"s Alvin Otieno (right) makes a try against Morans during their semi-final match at the Safari Sevens at Nyayo National Stadium on October 31, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Malaga Sevens is the third leg in the 2021/22 World Sevens Series and will be followed by the Seville Sevens from January 28-30 also in Spain
- Simiyu has five new call-ups in his squad; Kenya Simbas internationals Jone Kubu, John Okoth, Timothy Okwemba and Derrick Ashihundu and Kenya Under-20 international Richel Wangila
- Simiyu noted that the new inclusions are part of his plan to build a strong squad ahead of two major events this year
Kenya Sevens team Shujaa will launch their Malaga Sevens quest against Canada in a Pool “D” match at 1.22pm on January 21, this year at Malaga City Stadium, Malaga, Spain.
They will then meet Wales at 6.06pm the same day before wrapping up against France the following day at 1.49pm.
Malaga Sevens is the third leg in the 2021/22 World Sevens Series and will be followed by the Seville Sevens from January 28-30 also in Spain.
Shujaa started a bio-secure bubble at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Monday where head coach Innocent "Namcos" Simiyu has a training squad of 27 players.
Simiyu has five new call-ups in his squad; Kenya Simbas internationals Jone Kubu, John Okoth, Timothy Okwemba and Derrick Ashihundu and Kenya Under-20 international Richel Wangila.
Simiyu has also retained four players, who featured in last year’s Safari Sevens tournament- Benson Salem, Arcadius Khwesa, Zedden Marrow and Hannington Wabwire.
Simiyu noted that the new inclusions are part of his plan to build a strong squad ahead of two major events this year- the Commonwealth Games due from July 28 to August 8 Birmingham, United Kingdom and Rugby World Cup Sevens programmed from September 9-11 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Kenya Sevens is currently placed eighth in the 2021/22 World Sevens Series rankings with 22 points. They finished sixth at Dubai Sevens II after losing to Great Britain 10-5 in the final for fifth place.
They had settled eighth in Dubai Sevens I after losing to Ireland 29-7 in the final for seventh place.
Squad
Nelson Oyoo (Captain-Nakuru), Jeffrey Oluoch (Homeboyz), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz), Alvin Marube (Impala Saracens), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), Johnstone Olindi (KCB), Alvin Otieno (KCB), Levi Amunga (KCB), Edmund Anya (Impala Saracens), Antony Omondi (Mwamba), Timothy Mmasi (MMUST), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequins), Mark Kwemoi (Menengai Oilers), Collins Shikoli (Homeboyz), Kevin Wekesa (Kabras), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Derrick Ashihundu (Kabras), Ernest Kuke (Blak blad), Zedden Marrow (Homeboyz), Richel Wangila, Benson Salem (Nondies), Arcadius Khwesa (Blak blad), Jone Kubu (Kabras), Hannington Wabwire (Nakuru), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba), John Okoth (Menengai Oilers), Timothy Okwemba (Menengai Oilers).
