Kenya Sevens playmaker welcomes criticism after Vancouver 7s struggles
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 06.03.25. | 08:25
Despite the setbacks, Amaitsa remains optimistic about bouncing back
Kenya Sevens playmaker Nygel Amaitsa has opened up about the team’s struggles at the Vancouver 7s.
The team endured a tough run in Canada, where they failed to secure a single victory and finished last with just one point.
It was their worst performance under coach Kevin Wambua, leaving them eager to regroup ahead of the Hong Kong 7s scheduled from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March 30 in China.
The team’s campaign got off to a rocky start, suffering a heavy 28-0 defeat to Argentina before going down 33-7 to France.
A 26-10 loss to Great Britain sealed their fate at the bottom of their group, sending them into the 11th-place playoff.
However, their fortunes did not improve, as they lost to Uruguay and later fell to Ireland in their final match.
Reflecting on the disappointing outing, Amaitsa expressed his frustration but also noted that they picked vital lessons learned from the experience.
“Vancouver was good to me. I gave 100% heading to all the games. We do not understand what happened. I was surprised because it was kind of abnormal. On my side, I gave my all, but nothing happened,” he admitted.
The reliable playmaker went on to highlight key errors that cost them crucial moments in matches.
“We were making mistakes like knock-ons, forward passes. I cannot blame it on pressure or weather, but I just think we should be more tactical. That outing itself was a lesson for us,” he told Mozzart Sport.
He further noted that opponents seemed to have done their homework on the team, exposing tactical weaknesses.
“I feel like the teams did enough research on us coming into the game. In the previous legs, we made mistakes but managed to defend, even with just six people. But this time, teams knew where to attack. It is more of tactical errors. We also did not make wise decisions,” he explained.
Despite the setbacks, Amaitsa remains optimistic about bouncing back.
“It is not something for people to feel like we let them down because, in such situations, we find the ability to bounce back,” he averred.
One of the highlights for the Strathmore Leos’ halfback was the support from fans in Vancouver, which served as motivation even in defeat. HSBC SVNS organizers designated another exclusive stand for the Kenyan fans at the Vancouver 7s. They occupied sections 234-235, ensuring a vibrant and unified cheering squad.
“What made me happy was how the fans showed up and even cried when we lost the matches. To me, it felt like they were prouder of the country than we were on the pitch. It also taught me that losing was not an option and that I needed to do my best. I feel like that was the wake-up call,” he said.
Following their poor performance, the team faced a wave of backlash and criticism from fans online. Supporters, frustrated by the winless outing, took to social media to express their disappointment.
“Criticism is there because we lost all the matches. But it should not get to our heads. I have also been called out, but I accept because, to be honest, we did not perform well,” Amaitsa responded.
With the Hong Kong 7s fast approaching, the Kenyans will be looking to rectify their mistakes and put on a much-improved display as they seek to remain competitive in the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.
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