Shujaa hope for better tidings as inaugural Malaga 7s kicks off

The men’s national rugby 7s team, Shujaa, will be hoping to hit top gear when they take part in the newly launched Malaga 7s tournament that is set to be staged this weekend from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd January 2022 at the Estadio Ciudad de Malaga in Spain.

In what will be the first outing of the New Year and the third of the 2021/2022 HSBC World Rugby Series Circuit, the Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu coached side will be hoping that they can put in better performances than they have so far posted in the opening two rounds of the season.

In Dubai, where both rounds were held, Shujaa never made it past the main cup quarter-finals as they finished in eighth and sixth respectively in performances that were still very rusty and unconvincing.

Ahead of the Spain tour where Kenya have been pooled in Group D alongside a promising France, Canada and Wales, head coach Simiyu revealed that the team will look to get going right from the start if they are to make any noteworthy improvements.

“We have a competitive pool and we have to bring our A game to the table. Our key focus is the individual and team performance right from game one,” Simiyu noted.

Team captain Nelson Oyoo targeted yet another main cup feature as he delighted at the preparations they have made for the tourney.

“The camp has been good since coming back from the holidays and the mood has been very positive. For the first tournament in Malaga, the pool is fairly open and it is a group we can tackle. Since it is a 16 team format, we will strive to win our games and make it to the quarters of the main cup,” the player said.

Captain Oyoo eyes main cup quarters as Shujaa head to Malaga7s

Shujaa will kick off their campaign on Friday against Canada at 1:22pm before wrapping up their day one action at 6:06pm when they take on Wales.

The team will then finish up their pool round of matches on Saturday at 1:49pm when they clash against France.

Shujaa squad to Spain

Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru, captain), Jeff Oluoch (Homeboyz), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Kelvin Wekesa ( Kabras Sugar), Alvin Otieno (KCB), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequin), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz), Tony Omondi (Mwamba), Johnstone Olindi (KCB), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba), Levi Amunga (KCB), Derrick Ashihundu (Kabras Sugar, debut), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba).

Shujaa Malaga7s Match Timings

Friday 21st Jan

1:22pm – Shujaa vs Canada

6:06pm – Shujaa vs Wales

Saturday 22nd Jan

1:49pm – France vs Shujaa

Malaga 7s Pools

Pool A: South Africa, England, Scotland

Pool B: Germany, Australia, Ireland, Japan,

Pool C: Spain, USA, Jamaica, Argentina

Pool D: Kenya, Wales, Canada, France