Captain Oyoo eyes main cup quarters as Shujaa head to Malaga7s

Shujaa team captain Nelson Oyoo has revealed that the men’s national rugby 7s side will be seeking to at least make it into the main cup quarter finals of the Malaga 7s when the side jets out to Spain to take part in the third outing of the 2021/2022 HSBC World Seven Series Circuit.

Speaking after the 13-man travelling team was released by head coach Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu, the Shujaa captain expressed confidence that Kenya could make it to the quarter finals of the main cup with the format of the competition reverted back to the normal sixteen.

In Malaga, Kenya have landed in Pool D where they will have to battle it out against France, Canada and Wales for a chance to make it to the group stages as only two sides will progress from each of the four groups.

“The camp has been good since coming back from the holidays and the mood has been very positive. For the first tournament in Malaga, the pool is fairly open and it is a group we can tackle. Since it is a 16 team format, we will strive to win our games and make it to the quarters of the main cup,” the player said.

Shujaa land in Pool D for maiden Malaga 7s

With the Malaga 7s taking place for their first time ever between 21-23 January 2022, Shujaa will be getting down to action with a clash against Canada at 1.22pm EAT on Friday 21 January before taking on Wales at 6.06pm EAT the same day. They will then complete their pool clashes with a match against France at 1.49pm EAT on Saturday 22 January.

After Malaga, the team will only then have one week break before they play in Seville on 28-30 January.

Malaga 7s Pools

Pool A: South Africa, England, Scotland, Fiji

Pool B: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Germany

Pool C: Argentina, USA, Spain, Samoa

Pool D: France, Kenya 7s, Canada, Wales

Ashiundu in line for debut as Onyala makes comeback in Shujaa travelling squad to Spain

Shujaa squad to Malaga

Nelson Oyoo (Topfry Nakuru, captain), Jeff Oluoch (Homeboyz), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Kelvin Wekesa (Kabras Sugar), Alvin Otieno (KCB), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequin), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz), Tony Omondi (Mwamba), Johnstone Olindi (KCB), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba), Levi Amunga (KCB), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras Sugar, debut), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba)

Non Travelling Reserves: Alvin Marube (Resolution Impala Saracens), Ben Salem (Nondescripts), Timothy Mmasi (Masinde Muliro), Zeden Marrow (Homeboyz)