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The Nairobian

Five debutants make Shujaa squad for Africa Sevens

Rugby

By Clement Wekulo | Oct 08, 2018

**Homeboyz Leonard Mugaisi sprint with at RFU grounds on Saturday. Sept 15, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]**

Outgoing Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent Simiyu yesterday named a 12-man squad that will compete in the Africa Sevens tournament slated for October 13 and 14 in Jemmel,Tunisia.

Simiyu, who has been replaced by Paul Murunga and is expected to leave the side when his contract expires on October 17, has summoned five new faces for the continental showpiece.

The five are 2018 National Sevens Circuit MVP Daniel Taabu, his Mwamba teammate Eliakim Kichoi, Derrick Keyoga of Menengai Oilers, Nondies’ Benjamin Marshall and Gramwell Bunyasi, who plays for Nakuru RFC.

After an impressive National Sevens Circuit campaign with Homeboyz, winger Leonard Mugaisi has made a return to the national team.

Also making a comeback to the national team are Alvin Otieno, Michael Wanjala, Charles Owino and Cyprian Kuto.

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“It's a great feeling to be back to the team after missing out last season. Being among the senior members of the squad, my contribution will be key in inspiring the young players," Mugaisi said yesterday.

"Most of the players are hungry to impress and they will be out to prove themselves and become regulars in the team."

In the new-look squad, Herman Humwa is the only player who was retained from the side that featured in the 2017/18 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Simiyu expressed delight with the return of the five, saying their experience will be vital as they seek to wrestle the title from defending champions Uganda.

“They are not new to the side and they bring invaluable experience having featured in the HSBC World Sevens Series before,” Simiyu said.

According to Simiyu, most of the key Sevens players are involved with the national 15s team, Simbas.

“Some of them are injured while the rest are training with Simbas; so it was not possible to have them for this assignment," said Simiyu.

Those who are engaged with the Simbas in preparation for next month’s 2019 World Cup qualifiers in France are Collins Injera, Willy Ambaka, Nelson Oyoo, Andrew Amonde, Dennis Ombachi and Sammy Oliech.

Arthur Owira is recuperating from an injury he sustained at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Shujaa, who will be making a return to the Africa Sevens tournament after a one-year absence, are seeded top and will face Botswana and Morocco in pool A and Simiyu is aware of the threat posed by the sides.

“For us, it will be about taking each game at a time with the intention of progressing to the next round. We know there will be no pushovers and every team will be out to win,” Simiyu said.

Shujaa are scheduled to depart for Tunisia on Thursday morning.

The best two sides in each pool will qualify for the cup quarter finals while the last two (rank 9-12) will be relegated to the Challenge Trophy.