Asego confident ahead of Masaku 7s kick-off

Samurai Wakulima head coach Lavin Asego has outlined his team’s target as they make their debut in the fourth edition of the Masaku Sevens International tournament.

The rugby festival kicks off today with the school category, at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, with the main action slated for this weekend (July 4-5).

The star-studded locally-assembled squad comprising former and current Kenya Sevens national team players will be managed by former Shujaa captain Humphrey Kayange.

In the absence of defending champions Tabadamu from Fiji, the 12-man squad led by former Nakuru RFC forward Oscar Ouma, Nondescript’s Biko Adema, Mwamba’s Daniel Sikuta together with Strathmore Leos duo of winger Billy Odhiambo and Michael Wanjala go into the tournament as favourites.

But it will not be a walk in the park for Wakulima as they will have to overcome Mean Machine, Kilunda and Impala in the Group D preliminary matches before inching closer to the Sh2 million prize money.

In an interview with Feverpitch, Asego downplayed the favourite tag, saying they are going to Machakos to have fun.

FIRST APPEARANCE

“It is our first appearance in the tournament but we are not overwhelmed by expectations. We have not had time to train together but we are motivated by the fact that we have played together before either at the club or national team level,” said Asego.

“Expectations are high, but we are just focusing on ourselves. It is a fun moment for the team and also an opportunity for us to prepare for the national circuit. We will give our best and the results will take of themselves. We are looking forward to a great weekend.”

Meanwhile, the dates for the 2015 National Sevens Series have been announced. Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds will host the opening round, the Christie Sevens on 1-2 August with Kisumu’s Dala Sevens hosting the second round on 8-9 August.

The circuit will then head to Mombasa for the Driftwood Sevens on 22-23 August where the inaugural KRU U-19 Sevens tournament will be played before the Prinsloo Sevens on 29-30 August. The curtains fall on 5-6 September with the George Mwangi Kabeberi Memorial Sevens at the Railway Club.

The Safari Sevens will be held on 3-4 October in Nairobi at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.