Kabras aim to sweeten trophy cabinet with Dala Sevens glory
Rugby
By
Washington Onyango
| Jul 01, 2023
Kabras Sugar are aiming to further sweeten their trophy cabinet by winning this year's National Sevens Circuit starting with the opening Dala Sevens leg that kicks off today (Saturday) at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.
The millers confirmed to Kenyans that they are the new kings in the Kenyan rugby earlier this year when they won the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup titles for a second year running.
In fact, Kabras completed their double over none other than their archrivals KCB Rugby who not until this year had been crashing them at will from 2017.
Today, Kabras have promised to continue with their trophy hunt in the off-season sevens circuit starting with Dala Sevens.
Kabras chairman Edwin Esilaba said it is time for them to show Kenyans that they can also excel in the sevens tournament.
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"This year we are going all in. Trust me, we want to sweep every team if possible and not only win the nation sevens gong but also claim as many legs as possible starting with Dala," said Esilaba.
Kabras's intentions have already been made clear with the inclusion of Kenya Sevens stars Brian Tanga and Kevin Wekesa alongside Kenya Simbas influential player Fijian Jone Kubu in a strong 15-man squad. Others are Alfred Orege, Lameck Ambetsa and Paul Abuto.
For the past few years, Kabras used the sevens circuit as orientation for their new signings and academy graduates but this year they have brought out the big dogs.
Kabras headline Group C that has Strathmore Leos, Daystar Falcons and hosts Kisumu.
The 2022 Dala 7s edition saw Homeboyz beat Menengai Oilers 19-14 to win the title.
In this year's edition, defending circuit champions Menengai Oilers are the top seeds in Group A alongside city rivals Nakuru, Nondescripts and Catholic Monks.
Last season's national sevens circuit runners up KCB headline Group B which features Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro and Mombasa.
Dala 7s champions Homeboyz are in Group D where they will battle it out with Mwamba, Western Bulls and last season's overall division 2 champions Makueni.
Meanwhile, KCB RFC have been handed a massive boost following the return of Vincent Onyala who has been out due to injury, Geoffrey Okwach and the recent acquisitions of youngsters Elvis Namusasi, Lionel Ajeliti, William Opaka and Austine Sikutwa.
Former Shujaa captain Andrew Amonde who recently led them to glory at the Great Rift Tens Rugby Tournament in Nakuru will coach the 13-member travelling squad team.
"The preparations for this competition have been going on very well and I can confidently say that the team is ready to compete against some of the biggest sides in the country. We have squad-depth that is unmatched which has given us a difficult time in picking the 13 players who will be representing KCB in the much-anticipated outing," said Amonde.
Last year, KCB won the opening leg of the tournament at the Kabeberi Sevens and finished second overall behind Menengai Oilers.
ent at the Kabeberi Sevens and finished second overall behind Menengai Oilers.