S. OchiengShujaa ace Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno rejoins Kenya 7s squad
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 31.12.22. | 17:12
The Water Buffalo, as he is popularly known in rugby circles, exited the team back in August for a career opportunity in Canada.
Kenya 7s fan favourite Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno has officially made his return to the men’s national rugby 7s team, Shujaa, after rescinding his decision to step aside from the Damian McGrath led team back in August this year, Mozzart Sport can confirm.
After the final tournament of the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series that took place in Los Angeles, the Shujaa ace, renowned for his massive fends and fearless combative attacks, shockingly informed the technical bench that he would not be continuing with the team as he had landed another career opportunity in Canada.
Alvin 'Buffa' Otieno is set to make a sensational return to the men's national rugby 7s team Shujaa starting from January.
— Ochieng' Stephen (@soo_ochieng) December 15, 2022
Buffa left the team at the end of the 2022 season (LA7s) as he sought an opportunity in Canada
What a timely return this would be!#Kenya7s #Shujaa pic.twitter.com/UbYDyXg23L
With the abrupt decision, the team was left stranded as Buffa, a vital cog in the side, failed to take part in the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament held in Cape Town, South Africa and has not been part of the team that started the 2023 campaign with his replacement proving hard to find.
However, four months later, the former Homeboyz RFC player has made his return to the team and has been training with the rest of the squad in preparation for the fourth outing of the campaign that will take place in Wellington, New Zealand.
“Buffa came back and has been in training for three days now. It is good to have him back because we all know what he can offer to the team,” a source at the Shujaa camp disclosed.
Last gym session for 2022 went to @KenyaSevens boys...big year ahead, huge ground to cover...but motivated , enthusiastic boys on the saddle...
— Geoffrey Kimani (@GeoffKimani) December 30, 2022
Thank you @peponi_school for the hospitality, much appreciated!#Kenya7s🖤❤💚#RiseUp pic.twitter.com/OY737eEkZS
Buffa’s return to the tem comes as a timely boost to a Shujaa side that has struggled to get going in a very demanding 2023 season that will see the number of men’s teams reduced from 16 to 12, meaning that four teams will have to be dropped.
As things stand, Shujaa are 14th on the log after the opening three rounds.
Does Alvin Otieno the Buffa still play for #Kenya7s. We are losing our grip in the series and might be relegated the way things are going pic.twitter.com/wwume8Uq3j
— Josh Oluga (@Josholuga) December 11, 2022
How have Shujaa performed so far?
The Damian McGrath currently coached side had a woeful start to the season as they finished last in the season opening outing held in Hong Kong back in November where they finished in last place, garnering only one point after losing all its matches.
In the second outing that took place in Dubai, Shujaa managed an 11th placed finish where they took five points for their exploits.
In the recently concluded Cape Town 7s, the team finished in 13th place which gave them three points leading to a total of nine points after the three outings.
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