Kenya Sevens' co-captain Vincent Onyala and playmaker Kabras playmaker Brian Tanga will miss next month's Safari Sevens.
Onyala has a slight knock on the knee and team doctors and management have advised him to take a rest.
He is expected back in training mid-next month in readiness for the start of the World Seven Series. Tanga has a wrist injury and missed the two final legs of the National Sevens Circuit—Driftwood and Prinsloo Sevens recently as he continues to recover.
Tanga's teammate Lamech Ambetsa is being monitored after sustaining a slight ankle knock during the Paris Olympics in July but is expected to be fit for the World Seven Series in December.
Shujaa are also going to be without star forward John Okoth, who underwent surgery last week on a fractured Tibia. He is expected to be out for three to six months—meaning he will skip the Safari Sevens and the opening two tournaments.
Team manager Steve Sewe said Onyala and Tanga's injuries are not serious—observing rest will be vital to get them fit and firing for the start of the season.
“The fact that Onyala and Tanga will not need to undergo surgery is a plus for us. This means they will be able to return to training in the next couple of weeks after being assessed," added Sewe.
Sewe said the training squad for the new season will be released later in the week.
“We have a meeting on Wednesday to finalise the squad and hopefully, we start our training next week."
For the Safari Sevens, Sewe said he expects both Shujaa and Morans to be competitive. Harlequins will also be in the race after winning the National Sevens Circuit.
“Shujaa are the defending champions and Morans are formidable and I expect both teams to be competitive," noted Sewe.
After Safari Sevens, the World Sevens Series will commence in Dubai on November 30– December 1. The teams will then head to Cape Town for the second round on December 7-8.
Perth, following its successful debut in 2024, will host the third round at HBF Park on January 24-26, 2025.
The series will continue in Vancouver on February 21-23 at BC Place and the iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on March 28-30.
