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S. OchiengAmbaka confident Shujaa can top tough Olympic group
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 22.07.21. | 10:16
Shujaa begin their men’s Pool C campaign on Monday, 26 July with a clash against the USA
National rugby sevens ace Willy Ambaka has tipped the men’s national team, Shujaa to emerge atop of their group despite being pooled in difficult matchups against rugby power houses South Africa and the USA.
After having conducted a pre-Olympic training camp in the Japanese City of Kurume, the sevens side proceeded to the Olympics Village where the team is gearing to commence their Olympic quest on Monday, 26th July.
According to the Russian-based star, the prospect of topping Group C is not too much of an ask for the Innocent Simiyu-coached side as they have tasted victory over the big sides in previous encounters and that was proof that it can be done.
🚨 POOLS ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 28, 2021
Mouthwatering match-ups in the early stages of the men's competition 🤩
The countdown to #Tokyo2020 is 🔛#HowWeSevens pic.twitter.com/BNsWcJGMi9
For them to top the group, Shujaa will have to navigate past the 2017-2018 World Rugby Sevens Champions South Africa, 2018-2019 Series runners up USA and Ireland who were promoted as a core team in the 2018-2019 season, a feat Ambaka believes is possible with the right mindset.
“The target is to top the pool. I mean we have prepared well. I am pretty sure this is a competitive squad we have here. We just need to focus on ourselves first. We have to be in the right mindset, getting the body to feel right and getting the little things right. We have played against these teams before and have won against all of them. We just need to focus on ourselves, getting our bodies to feel right. I am pretty sure we will get some good results come Monday,” he said.
Pools confirmed ✅
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) July 7, 2021
Squads announced ✅
Fixtures released ✅#Rugby7s #HowWeSevens @WorldRugby7s @Olympics @Tokyo2020 @OlympicsKe @moscakenya @AMB_A_Mohammed @JoeOkudo @RugbyAfrique @sportsfundkenya @Oduorgangla @isimiyu @andrewopede @Sinaida_Aura pic.twitter.com/TxP6pTvNJA
Going into the summer games, Kenya 7’s will be in pursuit of their maiden victory in the tournament after suffering three losses in the group stages on their exit to the tournament.
The team will also be looking to get past the group stages for the first time after finishing last in the debut tournament back in 2016 after being placed against New Zealand, Japan and eventual silver medalists Great Britain.
Shujaa begin their men’s Pool C campaign on Monday, 26 July with a clash against the USA at 5.30 am before facing South Africa at 1.00 pm. They will then take on Ireland at 5.00 am on Tuesday, 27 July.
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