Onyala confident of Shujaa's return to HSBC series

Kenya 7s captain Vincent Onyala is buzzing with optimism after Shujaa secured a vital qualification for the Madrid playoff slated for May 31 to June 2.

This playoff will serve as the final hurdle for the team to rejoin the elite ranks of the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series, a place they once called home.

"It feels good. We had a plan and going to Madrid will see our goals and visions fulfilled,” Onyala said.

Shujaa to camp in Miramas ahead of HSBC 7s playoffs

Shujaa's qualification is the culmination of a determined effort throughout the Challenger Series. They began the year strong, conquering the Dubai leg in January.

However, a third-place finish in Montevideo, Uruguay, in March left them needing a solid performance in the final Munich leg to secure a top-four spot and the coveted playoff spot.

The pressure was on in Munich, but Shujaa rose to the occasion. They navigated a tough pool that included Japan, Chile, and Portugal.

They opened their campaign with a convincing 28-12 victory over Japan, followed by a resounding 33-5 win against Portugal.

Their final pool match against Chile proved to be a nail-biter, with Shujaa edging out their opponents 17-12 with a golden point in dramatic fashion.

This hard-fought win secured them the top spot in the pool and was a crucial step towards their ultimate goal.

They proceeded to the quarterfinal match where they went down 19-17 to Germany. They failed to make the semi-finals on this occasion but a fifth-place finish after a 48-0 victory over Uganda was enough for them to finish as runners-up to Uruguay in the final standings.

Onyala's excitement extended beyond simply returning to the Series. He sees the Madrid playoff as a catalyst for positive change within Kenyan rugby.

"This playoff and the potential return to the series means more programs and more opportunities for Kenyans at home. Experience for young players who have never experienced what it means to play at such a level, donning the jersey and playing the best. It is a great thing that I am hoping my boys are experiencing," he explained.

The captain was also grateful to the fans for their unwavering support throughout their journey.

"We are glad to have them behind us," Onyala said. "Everywhere we go, we sort of enjoy that home advantage by playing with somebody who knows Swahili and telling us ‘twende twende twende’ [Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! in Swahili]. Thanks so much to our fans. Hoping to see you in Madrid. Come with your vuvuzela."

In Madrid, they will face an acid test in Pool B against Spain, Samoa, and Chile.