Shujaa stepping up for Olympics in France

Herman Humwa is one of the experienced players on the teams and says they are settling very well.

In Summary
  • Kenya will be facing a huge task in their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time, facing Argentina, Australia and Samoa in their pool.
  • Argentina who won IRB Sevens circuit last season are among the favourites to win the Olympics title and Humwa is certain the campaign won't be a walk in the Park.
Shujaa qualify for the Paris Olympics
Shujaa qualify for the Paris Olympics
Image: KENYA SEVENS

The last two Olympic games have not been a good hunting ground for the Kenya Sevens Rugby team especially in the Rio Olympics when the National side finished in 11th position, securing only one win.

The team went on to drop another disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics failing to make it out of the group stages.

Since then Shujaa has gone through several changes, dropping out of the HSBC Sevens series and eventually securing their slot back under Kevin Wambua.

The National side has gone from the usual faces to new players who have stepped and guided Kenya to yet another Olympic qualification after shocking South Africa in the Africa qualifiers.

After several weeks of intense training in Kenya, the National side is currently in Miramas in France stepping up with their preparations ahead of their first match against Argentina on July 24.

Herman Humwa is one of the experienced players on the teams and says they are settling very well.

"The weather conditions in France are very good, playing Rugby under this condition is very well, the boys are adapting very well, as a team focusing on our defence and technical aspects in kick-off and set pieces and just to make sure our nitty-gritty is perfect," he said

Kenya will be facing a huge task in their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time, facing Argentina, Australia and Samoa in their pool.

Argentina who won IRB Sevens circuit last season are among the favourites to win the Olympics title and Humwa is certain the campaign won't be a walk in the Park.

However, he has backed the young players in the squad who will be making their first appearance in the games to step up and shine for the National team.

"The young players are up for the task and they are cooperating in terms of training and they are very confident being here, we just keep reminding them it's just another game and I am sure they are equal to the takes," Humwa added

His remarks have been echoed by strength and conditioning coach Chris Brown who will be handling the team for a second time.

Brown says it's a good plan for the team to train in France ahead of the games. He remains confident the young players will step up in their group matches.

"They have experienced big moments in Rugby and they have responded very well, they are resilient and no doubt they will step up and register good results, that's what they did in the Olympics qualifiers and Madrid which was not an easy task but they delivered," he said

Brown was full of praise for head coach Kevin Wambua who has turned around the team's fortune ever since he was named the head coach.