McGrath terms Buffa’s significant return a huge boost to Shujaa

The men’s national rugby 7s head coach Damian McGrath has labelled Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno’s return to the team as huge boost ahead of their remaining eight outings in the 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series season.

Last week, the water buffalo, as Otieno is popularly known in rugby circles, officially rejoined the squad and took part in training sessions with the team for the first time following his exit at the end of the 2022 season that concluded in Los Angeles back in August.

Shujaa ace Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno rejoins Kenya 7s squad

At the time, the player, who ended up missing the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa and the first three outings of the 2023 season held in Hong Kong, Dubai and Cape Town, had reportedly left for another career opportunity in Canada.

“Buffa coming back is huge news and fantastic for us because he has been a huge miss for the team. We had new guys in the team but it is a huge jump for them in terms of making the step up to the Sevens Circuit. If we have some good and experienced players around them (like Buffa) it will make it much easier for them,” the coach told Mozzart Sport.

Buffa’s timely return to the squad comes at a time where Shujaa are struggling to hit their best form if the opening three rounds of the campaign are anything to go by.

The team had a woeful start to the season as they finished last in the season opening outing held in Hong Kong back in November, garnering only one point after losing all its matches.

In the second outing that took place in Dubai, Shujaa managed an 11th placed finish where they took five points for their exploits.

In the Cape Town 7s, the team finished in 13th place which gave them three points leading to a total of nine points after the three outings, results that have placed them in 14th place, one of the four spots that will lead to relegation playoff matches.