Shujaa seek to replicate 2016 success

 

Kenya will be hoping to continue from where they left off in Hong Kong and replicate their 2016 Singapore heroics when they take to the pitch this morning for the group matches of the eighth round of the 2017/18 HSBC World Sevens Series, at the Singapore National Sevens.

The seventh ranked Shujaa, who beat Fiji 30-7 to lift their maiden Sevens Series title two years ago into go into the tournament after a dismal performance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games that saw them finish eighth.

However, the East Africans will be motivated by their performance in the last two legs in Vancouver and Hong Kong where they reached the Cup finals but unfortunately fell to the Fijians on both occasions.

"There's definitely a lot of positive sentiment, the fact that we won our first tournament here brings a lot of good memories and makes it a good place for us to play," said Kenya captain Oscar Ouma.

Kenya, who headlines Group B, will open their Singapore account at 7.52am against Commonwealth Bronze medalists England before taking on France at 11.18am. Innocent Simiyu's charges will then wrap-up their preliminary round with a clash against Mike Friday's USA at 2.44pm.

Meanwhile, there is a lot at stake as the KRU Championships enter the semifinal stage today in Nairobi and Nakuru respectively.

Apart from progressing to the finals slated for May 5, the winners of today's fixture will automatically qualify for next season's Kenya Cup.

Mean Machine will be out to revenge their recent 8-6 league defeat to Western Bulls when the two sides lock horns in a highly anticipated semi-final encounter at the University of Nairobi as Menengai Oilers tackle Kisumu RFC at ASK Showground, Nakuru.

"History favours us against Mean Machine in the 15-a-side campaign, but this one will be a different ball game. It's a knockout and both teams stand an equal chance," said Bulls coach Howard Okwemba on the club's TV.

Both Machine and Bulls were relegated to the second tier last season after finishing in the bottom two positions. The relegation ended Machine's 40 year's uninterrupted spell in the topflight rugby.

At the same time, Enterprise Cup champions Kenya Commercial Bank will be hoping to continue with their Cinderella run on the local scene when they battle with visiting Homeboyz in today's semi-final in Ruaraka.

The other semi-final of the oldest existing competition in the country will be between last year's losing finalist Kabras and Impala in Kakamega.

Kenya Sevens' Singapore timings

Kenya v England-7.52am

France v Kenya-11.18am

Kenya v USA-2.44pm

KRU Championship Semifinal Fixtures (Today)

Mean Machine v Western Bulls –UoN Ground, Nairobi (4pm)

Menengai Oilers v Kisumu –ASK Showground, Nakuru (4pm)

Enterprise Cup semifinals (Today)

KCB v Homeboyz – KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka (4pm)

Kabras v Impala – ASK Showground, Kakamega (4pm)