Homeboyz Trio Recalled As Shujaa Head To Europe To Battle Relegation

16th May 2019

Kenya must finish above Wales and Japan in London and Paris to escape the World Rugby Sevens Series axe

Selvyn Davids of South Africa tackles Collins Injera of Kenya during the 2018 Singapore Sevens Quarter Final match between South Africa and Kenya at National Stadium on April 29, 2018 in Singapore. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Selvyn Davids of South Africa tackles Collins Injera of Kenya during the 2018 Singapore Sevens Quarter Final match between South Africa and Kenya at National Stadium on April 29, 2018 in Singapore. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
SUMMARY
  • The tactician has recalled Homeboyz RFC trio of Cyprian Kuto (winger), Brian Wandera and Charles Omondi, both forwards, who have recovered from injuries to help the team in the remaining circuits
  • Murunga has retained the rest of his regulars including Vincent Onyala, Andrew Amonde, Bush Mwale, Daniel Sikuta, Eden Agero, Daniel Taabu, Jefferey Oluoch, Nelson Oyoo and Johnstone Olindi
  • Shujaa are currently ranked 13th on 26 points and only one thing is expected of the team: to retain their core status in the World Sevens Series

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya Shujaa head coach Paul Murunga has made three changes in the squad that will head for the 2018/ 2019 HSBC Series final legs in London and Paris next week to battle relegation.

The tactician has recalled Homeboyz RFC trio of Cyprian Kuto (winger), Brian Wandera and Charles Omondi, both forwards, who have recovered from injuries to help the team in the remaining circuits.

Apart from Kenya, Wales and Japan will also be out to escape the axe in the London 7s contest at Twickenham Stadium on May 25 to 26 and in Paris 7s on June 1 to 2.

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“I’m happy to be back in the team, I believe we will achieve our set targets in the remaining legs. I had a hip problem in Vancouver but that has since been dealt with from the rehab sessions with Lamech Bogonko and Michael Shamia. I'm going to put my best foot forward,” Kuto underlined.

Murunga has retained the rest of his regulars including Vincent Onyala, Andrew Amonde, Bush Mwale, Daniel Sikuta, Eden Agero, Daniel Taabu, Jefferey Oluoch, Nelson Oyoo and Johnstone Olindi. 

Captain Jacob Ojee who missed out on the Asian tour due to academic commitments is also back and will be deputized by Jefferey Oluoch.

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Shujaa are currently ranked 13th on 26 points and only one thing is expected of the team: to retain their core status in the World Sevens Series. 

They are a point above Wales (25) and four above Japan (22) who are also in the fight to retain their status in the series and Shujaa must finish above the two, both in London and Paris to survive the axe.

“We have been working on our weak areas in the last one month of training since we came from Hong Kong. We have so far perfected a number of moves as all the players have been training together,” Ojee underlined.

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Shujaa will kick off their London 7s Pool B action at 12:36pm (+3 GMT) against Fiji, their second match pits them against Samoa at 3:20pm before they wrap up their day one action at 6:26pm against France.

It is also important to note that top four finishers in Paris will punch their tickets to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Shujaa full squad:

Vincent Onyala, Andrew Amonde, Bush Mwale, Daniel Sikuta, Charles Omondi, Eden Agero, Daniel Taabu, Jacob Ojee, Cyprian Kuto, Jefferey Oluoch,Nelson Oyoo, Johnstone Olindi, Brian Wandera