World Rugby Challenger Series: Boost for Kenya Sevens as Odongo and Tanga return for final leg in Germany

Shujaa winger Patrick Odongo (right) during training session at Kasarani Annex on May 10, 2024. The team is preparing for the HSBC Sevens challenger in Germany on May 18-19, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Shujaa star winger Patrick Odongo is back to the national team as Kevin Wambua on Friday named the Kenya Sevens team set to take part in the final leg of the World Rugby Challenger Series in Munich, Germany next week.

Odongo missed the last trip to Uruguay due to injury during local duties with Daystar Falcons in the KRU Championship and his return will be a major boost to Shujaa who struggled to win matches last time out.

Kenya Sevens players during training session at Kasarani Annex on May 10, 2024. The team is preparing for the HSBC Sevens challenger in Germany on May 18-19, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya Cup champion Brian Tanga also returns to the squad after missing alongside Odongo.

The four-time Kenya Cup champion was out with illness but returns in scrum half where he will be battling for position with Samwel Asati of KCB.

Shujaa star Lamec Ambetsa (right) during training session at Kasarani Annex on May 10, 2024. The team is preparing for the HSBC Sevens challenger in Germany on May 18-19, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Herman Humwa also earned his first outing of the season, while Kabras Sugar back Lamec Ambetsa and Chrisant Ojwang, who impressed in their debuts in Montevideo, have been retained for a second consecutive appearance.

Other players keeping their spots in the squad include Kevin Wekesa, John Okoth, George Ooro, and Nygel Amaitsa. Dennis Abukuse, Elvis Olukusi and Ben Salem, part of the team to Uruguay, will not be on the plane to Germany.

Kenya Rugby 7s men team players during training session at Kasarani Annex on May 10, 2024. The team is preparing for the HSBC Sevens challenger in Germany on May 18-19, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The team will be captained by Vincent Onyala and Tony Omondi.

Kenya are in Group C alongside Chile, Japan and Portugal.

Shujaa aim to secure a top-four finish in Munich, which would qualify them for the promotion playoff in Madrid at the end of May. This Challenger Series playoff will determine which teams will join the HSBC SVNS in 2025.

Shujaa Squad

Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi, Kevin Wekesa, John Okoth, Brian Tanga, George Ooro, Patrick Odongo, Samuel Asati, Herman Humwa, Nygel Amaitsa, Lamec Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang