Shujaa chase fond memories as Sevens Series returns to action in Vancouver

A new look national rugby sevens side, Shujaa, captained by Nelson Oyoo will be aiming to create even more fond memories when the 2021 Rugby Sevens Circuit gets underway in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday night.

After more than a year out, the Sevens Series Circuit makes its comeback at the very same place that marked the end of the 2020 Circuit. Vancouver was the last tournament to be staged before Covid-19 struck and led to the rest of the series being cancelled.

With the 2021 season now consisting of only Vancouver and Edmonton events with an overall Series winner to be crowned in Edmonton, Kenya will be looking to hunt for points in territory that has proven to be favourable.

In 2018, the team reached a rare Cup final only to lose out on the gold medal to Fiji. In 2021, Shujaa will begin their campaign with matches against Spain and Mexico on Saturday before taking on South Africa early on Sunday morning.

With Timothy Mmasi, Levy Amunga, Derrick Keyoga, Mark Kwemoi and Alvin Marube handed their national team debut, head coach Innocent 'Namcos' Simiyu had in an earlier interview stated the importance of using the two tournaments for the long haul and getting it right from the get-go with the main cup quarters and semi-finals his targets.

“Our key focus in the first two tournaments is to get our game going and start hitting those performance targets early enough in the season. If we can be able to play in the quarters and semis, it will be a very big plus in this journey that is heading towards the Commonwealth Games and World Cup,” said Namcos in an earlier interview.

After taking over from long-serving captain Andrew Amonde who retired from the national team setup, Oyoo has backed the team's chances of putting a fight for the title

"Our training in a new environment was good, despite the long flight. Seeing the positive energy being brought in training and through our structure. The team is generally in a good mood and are ready to tackle our pool which we have a feeling that is very open for us to reach the cup knock out stages and contend for the cup," Oyoo shared ahead of the Vancouver Sevens.

In pool A, Shujaa will be aiming to progress alongside South Africa who are the favourites with the Blitzboks looking to replicate their 2019 heroics that saw them crowned champions.

Both tournaments in Canada feature 12 teams split into three pools in a format similar to the Tokyo Olympics, with a women’s Fast Four competition taking place at the same time.

Shujaa squad to Vancouver and Edmonton

Nelson Oyoo (Nakuru,captain), Jeff Oluoch, Alvin Otieno (Homeboyz), Timothy Mmasi (MMUST), Herman Humwa(Kenya Harlequin), Harold Anduvati (Menengai Oilers), Willy Ambaka (Narvskaya Zastava Rugby Club, Russia), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba), Mark Kwemoi (Menengai Oilers), Levi Amunga (KCB), Billy Odhiambo(Mwamba), Derrick Keyoga (Menengai Oilers), Alvin Marube (Impala Saracens)

Group A Fixtures

Kenya vs Spain 8:31 pm Saturday

Kenya vs Mexico 11:42 pm Saturday

Kenya vs South Africa 3:35 am Sunday

Pool B - Great Britain, Ireland, Hong Kong, Jamaica

Pool C - USA, Canada, Germany, Chile