Ayimba hands Homeboyz winger Shujaa call up

Strathmore's Cyprian Kato, left, and George Orembo challenge Homeboyz's Alvin Otieno, centre, during final match at KCB Grounds in Ruaraka on Saturday, April 11th, 2015. Homeboyz won againdst Strathmore 15-13. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

National Sevens head coach Benjamin Ayimba has made four changes to the team that did duty in Las Vegas and Vancouver for the next two rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong (April 8-10) and Singapore (16-17) respectively.

Homeboyz winger Alvin Otieno has been handed his World Series debut, while the trio of Frank Wanyama (Homeboyz), Nelson Oyoo (Nakuru) and Robert Aringo (Impala) have been recalled replacing the injured quartet of Leonard Mugaisi, Oscar Ouma, Billy Odhiambo and Dennis Ombachi.

Shujaa, who are currently eighth on the IRB standings with 53 points, have been drawn in Pool A against three familiar opponents; third placed New Zealand (104 points), Samoa and France.

In an interview with Feverpitch Ayimba defended the inclusion of the four youngsters and tipped them to shine in the upcoming seventh and eighth legs.

“We expect the youth to bring some unregulated fineness to the game. All of them are going to express themselves and we expect some quite exciting play from them,” said Ayimba.

“It is because of Alvin’s explosiveness off the mark that we have given him a chance to see how well he can play in a high pressured game. We are yet to see what Wanyama can do out there. It is time for exposure and it is only through such tournaments that such type of players can get experience.

“In the absence of speedster like Billy Odhiambo, Ayoo can do that duty. For Aringo, it is because of his rugby brains and resourcefulness that we have brought him back,” Ayimba said.

By AFP 9 hrs ago
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