.jpg)
Louis Kisia opens up on Kenya Morans’ resilient Safari 7s campaign
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 16.10.25. | 11:05
The Impala RFC tactician further credited the team’s strong performances to their commitment during video analysis sessions and their ability to execute tactical structures under pressure
Kenya Morans wrapped up their 2025 Safari Sevens campaign on a high note, clinching third place after edging out Zimbabwe 19–12 in a thrilling third-place playoff played on Sunday, 12 October at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The result was particularly impressive given that the team featured nine debutants, making their podium finish a proud milestone and a great showcase of the country’s depth.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Among the new faces were Strathmore Leos’ trio of Victor Mola, Elton Amalemba, and Arnold Muita, as well as Daniel Kipchirchir of Menengai Oilers, who enjoyed a standout 7s season that helped his club finish third overall in the national circuit.
Rayvon Ambale (Kabras RFC), David Nyangige (Impala RFC), Clinton Amukwachi (Daystar University), and Arnold Agonda also earned their first caps for the national development side.
Morans had arguably the toughest route of any side in the tournament. Drawn in Pool C alongside Reunion, Apache, and Zimbabwe, they started strong with a commanding 24–0 win over Reunion, followed by a 28–10 victory against Apache.
They then topped their group after a convincing 27–7 win over Zimbabwe.
In the quarterfinals, Morans edged UK Select 21–19 to book a semifinal slot, where they narrowly lost 14–12 to Shogun Rugby, a team representing Spain’s national side.
The loss dropped them to the bronze playoff, but they bounced back with a gritty win against Zimbabwe Cheetahs, proving their resilience and depth.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, head coach Louis Kisia could not hide his pride in the team’s performance, noting how the short preparation period made their achievement even more remarkable.
“I am super proud of the boys. Coming into this tournament, we had one agenda: to finish on the podium. Unfortunately, we did not make it to the final, but we still achieved our goal of a podium finish,” Kisia said.
“We’ve ticked the boxes we wanted to tick, and now we wait and see. Next, we’ll go back to the drawing board and decide who we’ll work with this season,” he continued.
The Morans' side blended rising stars with seasoned players such as John Okoth, Elvis Olukusi, and Brian Mutua, a combination Kisia believes worked well in fostering mentorship and team chemistry.
“It was a good mix of rookies and experienced players. They played really well, trying to integrate with the younger guys; it’s all part of the learning curve,” he noted.
Kisia revealed that the team had only trained together for less than a month, yet their structure and discipline on the pitch reflected maturity beyond their experience.
“This was our first tournament after the local 7s circuit. We’ve now played together for three weeks, since we called up the players a week after the end of the series and trained for two weeks before this event. It is all about resilience and planning. Success doesn’t come on a silver platter or by fluke. It shows that the boys stuck to the plan,” he continued.
The Impala RFC tactician further credited the team’s strong performances to their commitment during video analysis sessions and their ability to execute tactical structures under pressure.
“We almost had the match against Shogun, but luck was not on our side. Still, when we met Zimbabwe, the boys proved their mettle and showed they can compete with senior sides,” Kisia concluded.
.jpg)
.jpg)
