Menengai Oilers' wonderkid reduced to tears after fulfilling national team dream
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 18.10.25. | 15:31
In 2024, he was part of the Kenya U20 side, Chipu, that made history by winning the Barthes Cup and booking a ticket to the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Scotland.
“I almost cried when I saw my name on the Morans' list.”
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Those were the words of Menengai Oilers’ youngster Daniel Kipchirchir, who finally made his long-awaited national team debut. Kipchirchir was among the nine debutants in the Kenya Morans squad for the Safari 7s.
Despite training together for only two weeks, the Morans defied the odds to clinch third place in the tournament. Their journey to the podium was arguably the toughest in the tournament as they faced teams like Shogun Rugby, Zimbabwe (twice), and UK Select.
Mozzart Sport caught up with Kipchirchir, who explained that the moment was a reward for countless hours of unseen hard work, faith, and quiet determination.
“So far, so good. I thank God. It’s been a tough journey behind the scenes, but now we’re here,” the excited youngster said.
Before donning the Morans' jersey, Kipchirchir had already shown glimpses of greatness.
In 2024, he was part of the Kenya U20 side, Chipu, that made history by winning the Barthes Cup and booking a ticket to the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Scotland.
His electric pace and sharp instincts made him a standout talent.
And when Menengai Oilers came calling in September 2024, he knew it was time to level up.
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Under the guidance of head coach Gibson Weru, the youngster flourished and quickly adapted to senior rugby.
When the Oilers reached their second-ever Kenya Cup final, few were surprised to see Kipchirchir’s name in the starting lineup.
With the experienced Beldad Ogeta either sidelined through injury or suspension, the responsibility fell on Kipchirchir’s shoulders, and he rose to the occasion.
Oilers narrowly lost 27–26 to Kabras Sugar, but Kipchirchir’s performances throughout the season were impossible to ignore.
His brilliance carried over to the National Sevens Circuit, where he delivered one dazzling performance after another.
At the Christie 7s, he was named in both the Main Dream Team and the U20 Dream Team, and by the end of the six-leg circuit, he had featured in every U20 Dream Team and cemented his place in the Overall Dream Team of the tournament.
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Such consistency and hunger for improvement did not go unnoticed. When the Kenya Sevens named their 48-man training squad, Kipchirchir’s name appeared alongside established stars like Patrick Odongo and Floyd Wabwire.
He admitted that his position on the wing is littered with impressive talent like Patrick Odongo and Floyd Wabwire, but that only motivates him to work harder.
“Yes, there is pressure because players like Wabwire and Odongo already have international experience. But I learn a lot from them,” he explained.
Kipchirchir’s first national team call-up was during the Africa Men’s 7s tournament in Mauritius, but he did not make the final cut. That disappointment became his fuel.
“I went back home, put in the work, and now it is paying off,” he said.
Every player has their small superstition, and for Kipchirchir, it is the number seven.
“Number 7 is my lucky number. That is why it is always on my jersey,” he offered.
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