Kenya Sevens rugby team, Shujaa, will look to bounce back in the second leg of the 2024-2025 HSBC SVNS season at the Cape Town Sevens this weekend.
Following a lackluster performance at the Dubai Sevens, where they managed only two wins in five matches to finish tenth, Shujaa aims to address their inconsistencies and make a strong statement in South Africa.
Despite their struggles in Dubai, there were glimpses of promise. Rising star Patrick Odongo dazzled with his pace, while forward Georg Ooro demonstrated immense physicality, winning crucial turnovers. However, inconsistency in execution proved costly for the team.
Shujaa opened their Dubai campaign with a heart-wrenching 24-19 extra-time loss to reigning World and Olympic champions France. They rebounded in style, defeating South Africa 22-17 in a thrilling pool match.
But hopes of a Main Cup quarterfinal berth were dashed by a 31-14 defeat to Australia. In the ninth-place playoffs, Shujaa showcased grit, dispatching Ireland 21-7 in the semifinals before falling 15-7 to Uruguay in the final.
Reflecting on their performance, captain Samwel Asati praised the team's spirit but acknowledged the need for sharper execution.
“The boys gave their all, and our teamwork was commendable, but we know there’s a lot to improve,” Asati said.
Head coach Kelvin Wambua has called on his charges to be more clinical in Cape Town.
“Dubai was a mixed bag for us. We saw what we’re capable of, but it’s clear we need to work on our consistency and decision-making under pressure. Cape Town presents an opportunity to rectify that and show our true potential,” Wambua remarked.
Shujaa will see a boost with the return of Tony Omondi, who replaces the injured Christant Ojwang. Omondi, a key playmaker, missed the Dubai leg due to contractual issues that have since been resolved.
However, the team remains without inspirational captain Vincent Onyala, whose absence continues to be felt.
The Cape Town Sevens introduces a new competition format aimed at enhancing player welfare. The tournament features four pools of three teams each, with pool winners advancing directly to the semifinals.
Teams finishing second and third will contest placement matches for fifth to eighth and ninth to twelfth positions, respectively.
Kenya has been drawn into a challenging Group B alongside Dubai finalists Spain and powerhouse Australia. Spain is coming off a historic run to their first-ever SVNS final, while Australia, who defeated Shujaa in Dubai, are strong contenders.
This tough grouping leaves Shujaa with little room for error as they seek to avoid the relegation zone, where they currently sit after one leg.
The Cape Town Sevens marks the second stop in the revamped HSBC SVNS calendar, which features seven events across iconic global destinations. The season will culminate in Los Angeles, where the top eight teams will vie for the World Championship, while the bottom four will fight to avoid relegation.
Dubai champions Fiji lead Group A, where they will face Great Britain and Uruguay. Hosts South Africa headline Group C alongside Ireland and Argentina, while Group D features Olympic champions France, New Zealand, and the USA.