The Kenya Sevens national team’s – Shujaa – technical bench has kept faith in the players who bravely fought to regain World Rugby Sevens Series core status after finishing second to Uruguay in the Challenger Series to light the Olympic Flame in Paris later this month.

Coach Kevin Wambua believes the charges have what it takes to continue the rise in the Kenyan jersey. What is significant is the way the team and technical bench have gone about their business of re-building a winning team after the departure of the bulk of the squad – known more for their dancing prowess – than exploits on the pitch. 

Embattled Kenya Rugby Union chairman, Sasha Mutai boldly predicted Shujaa’s return to the big dance amidst protests by naysayers about what appeared to be a lofty ambition. Rebuilding the team has been a challenging task.

The mass resignation by many ‘key’ players did not make it easy and all eyes have been on Wambua, Louis Kisia, and Andrew Amonde who silently went about their work under close scrutiny by the rugby fraternity. 

Detractors

What has been lost to the detractors was that, for a long time now, Kenya has relied on the pedigree of players who religiously flew the flag despite several challenges such as unpaid allowances that still prevail. Most of these players still claim unpaid allowances years after hanging their boots.

The situation required a new resolve by a new crop of players who were capable of rebuilding the lost trust and creating their own legacy. There was a struggle in building a new team who were ready to regain Kenya’s place, players who were ready to inspire themselves and others, players who were keen to buy the vision presented by the technical bench. 

This is the ‘new’ Shujaa team who defied all odds to beat South Africa in the Africa Sevens Cup to qualify for the Olympics. It was not a mean feat! South Africa had to endure a much harder path to qualification by winning the Repechage tournament in Monaco, last month to ensure Africa is represented by two teams in the Olympics.

Unsung heroes

One of the unsung heroes who has silently worked behind the scenes to ensure Kenya’s steady rise has been Chris Brown who is no stranger to Kenya Sevens. One of the coaches described Brown as accommodating, flexible but technically gifted to read the game and explore options that resulted into a winning situation.

Kenya has been drawn in Group B with Argentina, Australia and Samoa. Group A has New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa and Japan and Group C is headed by Fiji, France, USA and Uruguay.

Shujaa squad: Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi, John Okoth, Kevin Wekesa, George Ooro, Samuel Asati, Nigel Amaitsa, Brian Tanga, Patrick Odongo, Lamech Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang, Herman Humwa.

Traveling reserves: Festus Shiasi, Dennis Abukuse; Training Reserve: Brian Mutugi.