Determined Benson Salem eyes Shujaa spot after resilient 7s season
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 04.10.24. | 21:35
Nicknamed ‘Magical Salem’ for his exploits on the pitch, the Dagoretti High School alumni wows fans with his point on decision making skills
Nondies RFC playmaker Benson Salem is determined to make the most of the remainder of the year as he pushes to cement his place in the Kenya 7s team.
The talented playmaker has endured a challenging 7s circuit and now his focus is on making the final cut for the Safari 7s tournament slated for Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October at the Machakos Stadium.
Salem, who captained the Morans team that finished sixth in this year’s Africa Men’s 7s Cup, has been included in the provisional Safari 7s squad.
The 36-man squad reported to training on Monday 23 September and will be whittled down to 26 for both Shujaa and Morans.
From the final 26, the team for the HSBC SVNS season which starts in Dubai in December will be picked.
Last year, Salem played for the Morans during the Safari 7s, helping the team to finish fourth.
This year, however, he’s aiming for the ultimate goal; securing a spot in Shujaa and representing the country at the highest level.
Reflecting on his season so far, Salem admitted that it has not been all smooth sailing.
"I had a pretty rough 7s season. I missed two tournaments due to injury. But generally, I think the 7s season was a success. We got to watch some good rugby," he offered.
One of the key highlights of Salem’s season was reaching the finals of the Prinsloo 7s tournament with his Nondies squad.
Despite going down to Strathmore Leos 33-7, Salem was glad that they ended their tournament on a high.
It was a crucial moment for the team, who had been going through a tough period.
"As a group, we had gone through a hard period and we just had to dig deep during that last tournament. I’ve picked a lot of positives and lessons, and I believe that I’m not at my best yet. I’m still learning. I hope and pray that this year brings the best out of me,” he averred.
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Despite the ups and downs, Salem remains committed to his growth and the dream of wearing the national jersey once again.
“It’s always a privilege getting selected to play and represent the flag. Everyone wants to play for the A side,” he asserted.
Salem last played for Shujaa during the 2021 Safari 7s where he had a memorable outing.
They won the title after defeating Germany 12-7. Now, two years later, the playmaker is working harder than ever to prove he deserves a place in this year’s team.
"I’m working hard and hoping to make the team that will represent Shujaa this year," he concluded.
Salem who made his international debut with Shujaa in May 2022 has been in impressive form since.
Nicknamed ‘Magical Salem’ for his exploits on the pitch, the Dagoretti High School alumni wows fans with his point on decision making skills.
He showcased his true warrior spirit when he turned up for his team during the 2023 Tisap 7s held in Eldoret despite the loss of his mother.
He would then propel the side to win their first victory in the National 7s Circuit (NSC) in two decades.
Ben Nyambu's charges saw off Strathmore Leos 12-7 to win the penultimate leg of the 2023 NSC. They last won a leg in 2002 when they beat Ulinzi RFC 30-0 to lift the Driftwood 7s.
