Morans seek to reclaim Rugby Africa 7s title

Kenya's Chrisant Ojwang (back) in action during a past rugby sevens match. [AFP]

Kenya Morans head coach Louis Kisia is confident of recapturing their lost Rugby Africa Sevens title when the continental games kick off today at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius.

Kenya are in Group A, where they will face off against their long-time rivals Uganda, the reigning champions, as well as Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.

Group B includes formidable opponents such as South Africa, who recently clinched victory at the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship, along with Burkina Faso, Zambia, and Nigeria.

Group C features Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, and the host nation, Mauritius.

Morans will kick off their campaign with Côte d’Ivoire from 9.48am (Kenyan time) and Kisia is optimistic.

“We want to reclaim our title as Africa Sevens champions,” said Kisia.

Meanwhile, Chrissant Ojwang’s long-awaited return to the national fold is over after the Nakuru RFC star player was named as captain of the Kenya Morans.

The powerful running centre suffered a serious injury last year in December during the Dubai Sevens leg of the 2025-2026 World Rugby Sevens Series season that South Africa won.

Ojwang will captain the nation’s second-string men’s rugby sevens team alongside Shujaa captain George Ooro.

Kisia added youth into the squad, handing debuts to four exciting players: Felix Okoth, Javan Otieno, Matoka Matoka, and Philip Okeyo.

Okeyo, a standout performer for Chipu at the 2023 Barthes Cup and World Rugby U20 Trophy in Scotland, is the younger brother of current Shujaa star John Okoth.

Kabras Sugar winger Lameck Ambetsa also makes a comeback for the first time since featuring in the 2024 Paris Olympics, stepping in for Patrick Odongo, who is currently playing in India’s Rugby Premier League.