A new training squad has been named by 7s head coach Innocent Simiyu ahead of the 2021 HSBC Sevens World Series slated for 18th and 19th September in Vancouver, Canada. Surprisingly the squad features young sensation, Andrew Matoka who was highly impressive during the Chipu (Under-20) Barthes Cup tournament. Matoka and his kicking skills helped the national under 20 squad successfully defend the Cup crown as they beat Madagascar.
Simiyu promised to give youngsters more playing time in the World Rugby circuit as calls for an overhaul ranked up after the 2020 Olympics. Ahead of the return to action, Simiyu has selected a training squad of 24 players, fifteen who were part of the larger Olympics training team and nine new trialists who have been picked based on the 2021 Kenya Cup performance. Kabras Sugar’s Jone Kubu also headlines the list of trialists given a chance to train with the sevens set up ahead of the Canada Sevens. Kubu also showcased his masterclass footballing skills as he played fly half with the 15's national squad in the concluded Rugby Africa tourney.
“Our team selection is based on the last squad performance up to Tokyo where we have retained 15 players and called up 9 trialists based on Kenya Cup performance. We will continue calling up more players for trials until we settle on the additional 9 players. The total squad numbers for this season is 24players as its a long season. We also have one foreign based player, Willy Ambaka who will join us based on his availability,” said Simiyu.
Notable missing stars from the squad include Collins Injera and Jacob Ojee. Structural changes have also been made within the squad so as to to get a strong team that will win a medal at the 2022 Commonwealth games in Birmingham and the RWC 7s in CapeTown.
Shujaa 2021 Training Squad:
Harold Anduvate (Menengai Oilers), Vincent Onyala (KCB RC), Alvin Otieno (Homeboyz RFC), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequins), Dan Sikuta (Kabras Sugar RFC), Timothy Mmasi (MMUST), Tony Omondi (Mwamba RFC), Johnstone Olindi (KCB RC), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba RFC), Mark Kwemoi (Menengai Oilers), Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru), Jeffrey Oluoch (Homeboyz), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba RFC), Derrick Keyoga (Menengai Oilers), Levy Amunga (KCB RC) Edmund Anya (Impala Saracens), Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar RFC), Ben Salem (Nondescripts), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar RFC), Alvin Marube (Impala Saracens), Kevin Wekesa (Kabras Sugar RFC), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras Sugar RFC), Andrew Matoka (Strathmore Leos), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz RFC)
2021 HSBC World Sevens Series Calendar:
Vancouver7s: 18th- 19th September
Edmonton7s: 25th- 26th September
Singapore7s: 29th- 30th October
Dubai7s: 3rd- 4th December
CapeTown7s: 10th- 12th December