Alex Olaba, Billy Odhiambo make Kenya 7s return

France's Virimi Vakatawa (bottom) tackles Kenya's Collins Injera (top) during their cup quarter-final match at the Singapore Sevens rugby tournament on April 17, 2016. PHOTO | ROSLAN RAHMAN |

What you need to know:

  • Paris Sevens will be held on May 13-15 while the London Sevens is scheduled a week later.
  • Olaba, who was named as a non-travelling reserve for last month’s Hong Kong and Singapore legs, is elated with the opportunity to return to the world stage.

Strathmore Leos centre Alex Olaba has made a comeback to the Kenya Sevens team.

Coach Benjamin Ayimba on Wednesday made two changes when he named the squad for the last two legs of the 2015/16 HSBC Sevens World Series in Paris and London, respectively.

Olaba together with Leos his teammate Billy Odhiambo were called to replace Alvin Otieno and Samuel Motari.

Kenya Sevens head to the last two legs on the back of last month’s 30-7 win over Fiji that saw them claim their maiden main Cup win during the Singapore Series.

Paris Sevens will be held on May 13-15 while the London Sevens is scheduled a week later.

Odhiambo was last in action at the Vancouver 7s in March before an injury slowed him down. Olaba, who was part of the Kenya U-18 Sevens team that took part in the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China, returns to the World Series for the first time since the 2014 Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

WORLD STAGE

Olaba, who was named as a non-travelling reserve for last month’s Hong Kong and Singapore legs, is elated with the opportunity to return to the world stage.

“I thank the coach for having faith in me. I hope to help the team win in London and Paris. I would also like to part of the Rio Olympic Games squad,” Olaba told Daily Nation Sport on Wednesday.

The former Alliance High School winger played in three legs during the 2014/2015season under former coach Paul Treu. After their heroics in Singapore, all eyes will be on Ayimba’s boys to repeat their feat in the final two legs ahead of the Olympics set for August.

Ayimba has, however, said that the tam is under no pressure going into the final legs, adding that their focus is getting ready for the Olympics.

“We are using these two tournaments to sharpen our skills with the Rio Olympics in mind,” he said.

Commenting on the inclusion of Odhiambo and Olaba, Ayimba said: “Billy has recovered and is well rested after missing out on Hong Kong and Singapore. Olaba was included in keeping with our policy of squad rotation and exposing our younger players.”

Andrew Amonde remains the captain while Collins Injera, who is chasing the all–time try scorers’ record, remains the assistant captain. Injera’s brace against Fiji brought him to within five tries of leading try scorer Santiago Gomez, who has 230 tries.

The side departs the country on Sunday and are in Pool ‘A’ for the Paris Sevens alongside New Zealand, Portugal and Russia.

SQUAD

Andrew Amonde (Captain, KCB), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba), William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Frank Wanyama (Kenya Harlequin), Oscar Ayodi (Homeboyz), Augustine Lugonzo (Homeboyz), Samuel Oliech (Impala Saracens), Robert Aringo (Impala Saracens), Billy Odhiambo (Strathmore Leos), Alex Olaba (Strathmore Leos), Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru)

Management: Benjamin Ayimba (Head Coach), Paul Murunga (Assistant Coach), Geoffrey Kimani (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Lameck Bogonko (Physio), Newton Ong’alo (Team Manager)