T. NashipaeWho is Kevin Wambua the new Kenya 7s coach?
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 26.08.23. | 07:36
Former Kenya 7s skipper Andrew Amonde was mandated to handle the strength and conditioning department
On Friday August 4, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) announced their decision to part ways with the now former Kenya 7s coach Damian Mc Grath and replacing him with Kevin Wambua Muema.
That marked the end of a rather unceremonious 14 months in office for the former Samoa coach who, was relieved of his duties despite having been brought in to work with the team until the 2024 Olympics.
Wambua, unveiled alongside Strathmore Leos coach Louis Khisia who was handed the assistant coach roles.
Steve Sewe was given the team manager task with Lameck Bogonko retaining his position as the team’s physio.
Former Kenya 7s skipper Andrew Amonde was mandated to handle the strength and conditioning department.
Amonde captained Shujaa to their maiden and only 7s series title where they shocked Fiji with a 30-7 win in 2016.
Chris Brown came in as the consultant S $ C coach while Eric Ogweno was named the team liaison.
WHO IS KEVIN WAMBUA?
The name Bling is already a hit among rugby faithful. The former Mwamba RFC player was appointed the team’s head coach on August 3, 2016 and has since led the team to a number of victories.
His impressive record saw him earn a spot as Kenya 7s assistant coach on the 5th October 2018, and has since served under a number of coaches, with the recent one being Damian McGrath.
He also served as the Lionesses coach in 2016 when he took over the duties of Michael Shamia.
His coaching resume further includes stints as head coach of Laiser Hill School where he won a plethora of titles at the national and regional level.
PLAN FOR SHUJAA
With a proven track record for success, the appointment of the 35-year-old spells success for Shujaa.
Kenya 7s were relegated from the HSBC World 7s Series for the first time in 23 years after losing 12-7 to Canada in the relegation play-off final during the London 7s.
His first assignment will be to ensure Shujaa impress in the Africa Men’s Sevens-cum-Olympic qualifiers, before shifting gears to the World 7s Series.
“It feels good to be appointed the Shujaa coach. There is a lot of pressure attached to it because it is no ordinary job. It is a challenge that I am ready to take on and I am looking forward to it.
Our primary goal is to try and qualify for the Olympics, so our focus is purely on the players available on the ground. Our secondary focus is to get back to the HSBC series,” he told the media.
Bling’s charges are currently in the camp preparing for the Africa Men’s 7s, with the final squad set to be announced soon. The tournament is scheduled for September 16-17 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The competition will see 12 teams battling it out in a bid to qualify for the Paris 2023 Olympics.
The Kenyans have been placed in Pool B that sees them compete against Zambia, Namibia, and Nigeria.
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