Kenya squad for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens slated for San Francisco, USA next weekend has been named.
The 12-man team will be looking to better their previous performances in the last editions held in Russia (2013) and Dubai (2009) where they reached semi-finals.
Commonly known as Shujaa, the team will miss the services of Billy Odhiamabo and Osacr Ouma due to personal commitment and injuries respectively.
Their places have been taken by less experienced duo of Samuel Ngethe of Menengai Oilers and Quins Herman Mumwa.
Nondies winger Dennis Ombachi will be making a return to the squad after a lengthy injury layoff alongside Sammy Oliech of Impala Saracens.
Speaking after naming his roster, head coach Innocent Simiyu said; “We have a very strong squad based on training. The guys have really trained hard and we believe we have selected the best team that can represent the country. We’re looking for good performances from the players and hopefully we can get some good results.”
He also cautioned his charges about the importance of the opening game where he stated that they must be in their best form if they are to finish at the top.
“This being a knockout, it means that you have to adapt very first to the chaos in the game because if the game goes it goes and you have to keep winning to stay in it. The first game versus Tonga will be very critical. We have to start very well…get our game going…hit our performance standards very early….get the results that we want and proceed from there.”
Kenya will open the campaign against Tonga in their knock-out qualifier on Friday, July 20, with the winner set to take on Scotland in the round of 16.
The squad:
Oscar Ayodi (Captain, Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Collins Injera (Stanbic Mwamba), Andrew Amonde (KCB), William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Samuel Oliech (Resolution Impala Saracens), Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru), Dennis Ombachi (Nondescripts), Jeff Oluoch (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar), Eden Agero (Kenya Harlequin), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequin), Samuel Ng’ethe (Menengai Oilers)
Management: Innocent Simiyu (Head Coach), Geoffrey Kimani (Conditioning Coach), Lamech Bogonko (Physio), Erick Ogweno (Team Manager).
