Sasha admits Shujaa’s technical bench overhaul was long overdue as Wambua takes over

The country’s rugby governing body Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has finally announced Kevin Wambua as Shujaa’s head coach.

Wambua and an entire new technical bench takes over from head coach Damian McGrath who was relived of his duties just 14 months into his appointment, despite having been brought in to work with the team until the 2024 Olympics.

The new boss was assistant to McGrath in the time he was at the helm.

The former Mwamba head coach will be deputized by Louis Kisia with former Kenya International Andrew Amonde, who captained Shujaa to their maiden and only Sevens Series title when they shocked the then reigning champions and overall leaders Fiji in Singapore with a 30-7 win in 2016, serving as Strength & Conditioning Coach.

The immediate task for the new coaching unit will be in the 2023 Rugby Africa men’s sevens competition set for 16-17 September in Zimbabwe as they seek to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Exclusive: KRU set to part ways with Shujaa head coach Damian McGrath

The winners of the 2023 African Cup will get an automatic ticket to the Paris Olympics, while the second and third placed teams will have to go through a final qualification Repechage tournament in June 2024 whose winner will take the final spot.

“We don’t have time” Mutai said while urging clubs to release identified players for the Africa Cup immediately after the end of the Prinsloo 7s this weekend. “It’s not an ideal time, the overhaul came late.”

Full Kenya 7s team Technical Bench

Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua (Head Coach)

Louis Kisia (Ass Coach)

Steve Sewe (T. Manager)

Lameck Bogonko (Physio)

Andrew Amonde (Strength & Conditioning Coach)

Chris Brown (Consultant, S & C Coach)

Eric Ogweno (Team Liaison)