Menengai Oilers' coach Gibson Weru believes the signing of four players will boost their hopes of reclaiming the National Sevens Series which starts later this month.
The 2022 National Sevens champions have signed Samuel Mwaura from Nakuru, Keegan Clarkson (Nanyuki), Eric Ogutu (Catholic University), and speedster Glaes Ouma(Maseno University)
Weru believes the arrival of the quartet will boost their chances of winning the National Sevens Series after an underwhelming campaign last year that saw them finish fourth with 88 points.
The Nakuru-based side reached the Driftwood Sevens final, where they lost to Kabras Sugar 12-5. Weru attributed the fluctuating form to a lack of playmaker in the side last year.
"Our performance last season was due to a lack of game-breakers. If you look at KCB, they had Samuel Asati and Brian Wahinya, and Kabras had Brian Tanga.
"This makes a big difference in the Sevens game. It means they can create plays and increase and decrease the tempo of matches. That for me was the main undoing for us last season and for this campaign, it has been sorted,” said Weru.
Weru's charges played last week alongside Impala, Quins, Nondies and National Youth Service(NYS) in a tournament at Impala Club and Weru was satisfied with their performance.
“We fielded two sides for the tournament and I am impressed with the depth of players we have in our squad. We played well and our combinations looked solid," said Weru
Weru charges started training in May for the Sevens Series and he believes the boys are in good shape both mentally and physically for the six-leg tournament which will start with the Christie sevens on July 27-28.
“Our training regime has been solid. We have looked at all facets of play because I know it's going to be a tough series. However, we are well prepared for it," said Weru
The former champions will be without talisman John Okoth who is with Shujaa at the Olympics and Abdulwalib Wesonga, Elkeans Musonye and Samson Onsomu who are with the Simbas at the Africa Cup starting this weekend in Uganda this month
Weru said he expects a competitive event and cited Kabras and KCB as the teams to beat alongside Quins and Strathmore.
"In terms of depth, KCB and Kabras shave big squads. They can rotate and still be competitive. Quins were looking solid when we played them last week at the Impala Club.
