Kenya Sevens co-captain explains improved performance in Brazil

Kenya Sevens co-captain Samuel Asati has attributed Shujaa’s impressive run in the two South American legs of the HSBC SVNS II to clear objectives, growing cohesion, and belief within the squad.

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Shujaa delivered their best performance of the series in São Paulo, Brazil. Their qualification for the World Championship Series was sealed during the Brazil leg, where they produced a string of commanding displays against quality opposition.

Kenya emphatically opened their campaign, cruising to a 38-7 victory over Germany in what marked their third meeting of the season following earlier clashes in Nairobi and Montevideo.

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Despite suffering a narrow 14-12 setback against Belgium, the team responded in ruthless style, hammering Canada 40-0 to secure progression.

Carrying that momentum into the knockout rounds, Shujaa defeated Uruguay 26-14 before overcoming arch-rivals USA 31-14 to clinch a podium finish and cap off a memorable outing in Brazil.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Asati explained that the team’s success was no accident but the result of deliberate planning and a unified mindset.

“Heading to Brazil, we had a very clear objective as a team. Each side had already claimed one tournament win, so we knew the competition would be tight. Our goal was not only to compete but to push for victory and set the tempo for the rest of the Championship,” he said.

Beyond the action on the pitch, Asati highlighted the positive environment in South America as a contributing factor to the team’s performance.

“The experience in Brazil was also memorable off the pitch. The South Americans were very friendly and welcoming, which created a great atmosphere for the tournament.

And to our fans who travelled all the way to support us, we are truly grateful. Your presence made both tournaments special for us, and it gave the team an extra push,” he added.

Shujaa’s showing in São Paulo was a continuation of their upward trajectory this season. They had earlier finished third in the Nairobi leg, losing only once to the USA before replicating the same result in Montevideo.

The second-place finish in Brazil now positions them as strong contenders as they push for promotion back to the top-tier SVNS 1.

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Asati emphasised that the South American tour was a crucial step in their long-term ambitions.

“The two legs in South America were about accomplishing our first assignment as we continue building towards our main objective of qualifying back to SVNS 1.

We understood the importance of those tournaments, not just in terms of results, but also in setting the foundation for what we want to achieve moving forward.

That journey starts with this Championship, and the performances gave us a clear indication that we are on the right path,” he noted.

Attention now shifts to the upcoming Hong Kong leg, where Kenya faces a stern test in Pool C alongside the USA, New Zealand, and Australia. The tournament is scheduled for Friday, 17, to Sunday, 19 April.

Despite the daunting lineup, Asati remains optimistic about his teammates’ potential.

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“The good thing is we’ve been pooled alongside the USA, a side we are familiar with from SVNS 2, as well as top teams like New Zealand and Australia.

These are strong opponents, but we believe that if we stay disciplined, stick to our structure, and focus more on executing our systems rather than getting carried away by the occasion, the matches will be manageable,” he said.