Onyala, Tanga back in the Kenya Sevens fold

Kenya Sevens' George Ooro charge during their training session on January 15, 2025 at RFUEA ground.
What you need to know:
- Kenya face the Dubai Sevens winner and Cape Town semi-finalists, Fiji, New Zealand, who were the losing finalists in Cape Town and Uruguay in Pool “C” in Perth.
- “Onyala and Tanga’s return is a huge boost as it will give us the experience we need. Having them alongside Omondi will enhance our control of the game and calm the heads.
Former Kenya Sevens skipper Vincent Onyala is back in the team for the third leg of the 2024/2025 World Rugby Sevens Series scheduled for January 24 to 26 in Perth, Australia.
Onyala, 28, who led Kenya Sevens through to Africa Cup victory, Paris Olympic Games and back to the World Rugby Challenger Series, missed the opening legs of Dubai and Cape Town in December over contractual issues.
Onyala and former co-captain Tony Omondi were left out when the team was named for the series after failing to sign new contracts but Omondi made a return for the second leg in Cape Town.
Head coach Kevin “Bling” Wambua named the KCB winger to his squad of 13 players for the Perth tournament, which also saw the return of Kabras Sugar scrum-half Brian Tanga from injury.
Onyala, who has been attending the team’s training sessions declined to talk about his return, passing the back to the coach and co-captains George Ooro and Samuel “Tintin” Asati.
“I will disappoint you for now and kindly let us talk when I return from Perth. The coach and team co-captains can talk on my behalf,” said Onyala.
Kenya is currently placed ninth in the series with 11 points, having finished seventh at Cape Town Sevens after downing Great Britain 32-17 in the play-off for seven points.
It was an improved performance from Shujaa, who had finished 10th in Dubai to get three points.
Kenya face the Dubai Sevens winner and Cape Town semi-finalists, Fiji, New Zealand, who were the losing finalists in Cape Town and Uruguay in Pool “C” in Perth.
“Onyala and Tanga’s return is a huge boost as it will give us the experience we need. Having them alongside Omondi will enhance our control of the game and calm the heads.
“This is vital in our quest to finish in the top eight in the remaining four legs,” said Wambua.
Asati said that the return of Onyala, Tanga and Omondi enhances leadership and the tactical aspect in the team. “We are in good space,” said Asati.
Wambua, who called for patience and trust in the process said there are no easy pools or teams in the series with Fiji winning in Dubai to finish third in Cape Town as New Zealand settled for fourth place in Dubai and claimed silver in Cape Town.
“After a week’s camp in Nakuru last week, we want to analyse our run in Dubai and Cape Town and see what the opposition has for us in Perth. We want to play every game as a final,” said Wambua.
He noted that their key opponents now are Australia and Great Britain, who are placed seventh and eighth respectively with 12 points each.
Team
Kevin Wekesa, George Ooro(cc), William Mwanji, Vincent Onyala, Dennis Abukuse, Samuel Asati(cc), Nygel Amaitsa, AntonyOmondi, Patrick Odongo, Festus Shiasi, Benson Salem, Floyd Wabwire, Brian Tanga.