Shujaa land in Spain as Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand withdraw from Malaga7s

The men’s national rugby 7s team, Shujaa, touched down in Spain on Monday evening ahead of the inaugural Malaga 7s tournament that is set to be staged this weekend from 21st -23rd January 2022.

Pooled in Group D of the tournament that will be a first of its kind in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Circuit, the Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu coached side will kick off their campaign on Friday at 1:22pm against Canada before wrapping up their day one action at 6:06pm when they take on Wales.

The team will then finish up their pool round of matches on Saturday at 1:49pm when they clash against France.

Having already named a 13-man squad for the event, head coach Simiyu is hoping that the team can get their game going as they have not been able to advance past the main cup quarter finals of the first two season opening legs that were both held in Dubai last year.

This he said as he explained the inclusion of Kabras Sugar’s Derrick Ashihundu who is in line for his debut at the national team.

“This has been one of our toughest selections as all the boys raised their hands up to represent the country. We have one debutant Ashihundu, who trained well and we felt it was the right time to give him a chance due to Edmund Anya's injury,” the coach revealed.

“We have a competitive pool and we have to bring our A game to the table. Our key focus is the individual and team performance from game one,” Simiyu noted.

Captain Oyoo eyes main cup quarters as Shujaa head to Malaga7s

Away from Kenya, the New Zealand men’s and women’s teams are unable to travel to Spain for the Malaga and Seville events and will be replaced by Germany and Belgium, respectively, while Samoa men are also unable to travel and have been replaced by Jamaica in Pool C.

Fiji men's and women's teams are also currently unable to travel to Malaga and will not be replaced. Opponents in their respective group matches will receive three match points for a “bye” match and a score of 0-0 will be recorded for those games.

It is yet to be confirmed if Fiji men will be able to arrive in time to participate later in the competition in the placement matches.

Shujaa squad to Spain

Nelson Oyoo ( Top Fry Nakuru, captain), Jeff Oluoch (Homeboyz), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Kelvin Wekesa ( Kabras Sugar), Alvin Otieno (KCB), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequin), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz), Tony Omondi (Mwamba), Johnstone Olindi (KCB), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba), Levi Amunga (KCB), Derrick Ashihundu (Kabras Sugar, debut), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba).

Shujaa Malaga7s Match Timings

Friday 21st Jan

1:22pm – Shujaa vs Canada

6:06pm – Shujaa vs Wales

Saturday 22nd Jan

1:49pm – France vs Shujaa

Malaga 7s Pools

Pool A: South Africa, England, Scotland

Pool B: Germany, Australia, Ireland, Japan,

Pool C: Spain, USA, Jamaica, Argentina

Pool D: Kenya, Wales, Canada, France