Shujaa face Spain in Vancouver 7’s opener

National Sevens Rugby outfit, Shujaa, will open their Vancouver 7’s outing with a duel against enterprising European side Spain on Saturday evening before crunching it with invitational side Mexico three hours later.

World Rugby released the fixtures and timings on Monday noon leaving Shujaa to slug it out with powerhouse South Africa in the final tie of Group A in the wee hours of Sunday.

Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent Simiyu ‘Namcos’ Simiyu is hoping that his 12-man squad that includes five debutants will fly off the blocks immediately.

“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

The former international player kept his word by handing out debuts to young and upcoming players as a painstaking effort to transition the team from the golden seniors to fresh faces takes shape.

“Going forward, we are going to hand them (youngsters) a lot of playing time because this is their time and they are the future of the team. Can they fit in a structure and play in it? That is what we need to make them do,” said Simiyu

 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 8:31pm Saturday

Kenya vs Mexico 11:42pm Saturday

Kenya vs South Africa 3:35am Sunday