By WILLIAM NJUGUNA
Shujaa will be without co-captain Tony Onyango for this weekend’s Safari Sevens tournament in Machakos, assistant coach Louis Kisia has announced.
Onyango requested time off as he attends a personal matter. “He told us a couple of weeks ago that he is attending to personal matters and will not be available for the tournament,” said Kisia.
Onyango’s absence compounds matters for the defending champions, who are already without the other co-captain, Vincent Onyala (knee strain), John Okoth (shin bone injury), Brina Tanga (wrist), Chrisant Ojwang (hamstring) and Lamech Ambetsa (hamstring).
However, Kisia, the Impala coach said they have depth good enough to retain the trophy even as they expose some of the new faces to elite Sevens rugby.
“We have a big pool of players to choose from. Those picked will have an opportunity to solidify their slots in the team with the Worlds Seven Series on the horizon,” added Kisia.
The new faces have gelled with the mainstays over the past fortnight and selection in the national teams (Shujaa and Morans) will be competitive. “The new boys have trained well. They are learning the rigours of Sevens. We hope to name two strong teams that we hope will go all the way,” added Kisia.
The tactician expects an acid test from neighbours and Africa Sevens champions Uganda, Zimbabwe and Shogun RFC, formerly Samurai — coached by former Kenya Sevens coach Mike Friday.
“We have had close battles with the three teams and it won’t be different this time around. The nature of Sevens is unpredictable but the boys are prepared for the task at hand,” said Kisia. Lions Rugby are the latest team to join the competition, making it a 10-team event.
Others are Zimbabwe, Uganda, Qatar, Red Wailers and Shogun while the hosts will field four teams — Shujaa, Morans Quins and a Varsity Select side. The women’s category has Uganda Lady Cranes, Costa Blanca Barbarians, Shogun, Tunisia and Kenyan sides, the Lionesses and the Cubs.
The age-grade competition,
featuring seven school teams
kicks off on Friday.