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'Pau’ banking on team’s experience
What you need to know:
- Head coach Paul “Pau” Murunga will bank on experience this weekend as his Homeboyz team launch their title defence against Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad at this year’s Driftwood Sevens from 10am at Mombasa Sports Club on Saturday.
- Homeboyz, who are seeking their second victory at the coastal city, will then take on Western Bulls at 12.24pm before wrapping up their Pool ‘A’ fixtures against the 2015 series winners Nakuru at 4.36pm.
Head coach Paul “Pau” Murunga will bank on experience this weekend as his Homeboyz team launch their title defence against Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad at this year’s Driftwood Sevens from 10am at Mombasa Sports Club on Saturday.
Homeboyz, who are seeking their second victory at the coastal city, will then take on Western Bulls at 12.24pm before wrapping up their Pool ‘A’ fixtures against the 2015 series winners Nakuru at 4.36pm.
Homeboyz head coach Murunga has opted to field seasoned players with a view of getting the right force from the start.
“I want to stick to experienced players but it’s after Mombasa that we shall build on while doing some variations as the season unfolds,” said Murunga.
Homeboyz clinched their maiden series victory last season after winning Prinsloo, Nanyuki and Dala Sevens besides reaching the finals in Driftwood, Christie and Kabeberi Sevens.
Its Sportpesa sponsored Kenya Harlequin who edged out Homeboyz 19-12 to lift their 11th Driftwood Sevens trophy last year.
Former Nanyuki player Mark Wandeto and Zeden Maro and Stanley Kisogon, who were plucked from St Peters Mumias and Bungoma High School, respectively, will make Sevens series debut for Homeboyz.
“They have played for us at the Eric Shirley Shield but this is the time for them to scale the ladder and I wish them best of luck,” said Murunga.
Murunga’s squad for Mombasa include the usual suspects and former Kenya Sevens players Leonard Mugaisi, Jeff Oluoch (captain), Charles Omondi, Michael Wanjala and Cyprian Kuto. Murunga has sidelined Oscar Ayodi, Augustine Lugonzo and Bush Mwale, who are currently training with Kenya Sevens team.
Three times series champions Quins launch their Driftwoods title defence against Menengai Oilers at 10.36am before facing Kisii at 1pm.
They have four time series champions Mwamba in their last Pool ‘B’ duel at 4.54pm.
Quins have four debutants in the team — former Strathmore Leos winger Ginton Adongo, Kenya Under 20 international Roxy Dan Suchi, Edwin Okwema and Sosthine Oloo.
Eric Shikuku will captain Quins as Pius Shiundu, Dennis Otieno, Stanley Lunani, Edward Shitanda, Kevin Angote, Herman Hummwa and Jared Owinyo make the squad.
Mwamba that will be led by former Kenya sevens player Michael Agevi has Brad Owako and Kevin Atandi among others. Christie Sevens champion Impala Saracens, Kenya Commercial Bank, Mean Machine and hosts Mombasa make up Pool ‘C’.
Order of Play
Homeboyz vs Blak Blad (10.00am), Nakuru vs. Western Bulls (10.18am), Quins vs Oilers (10.36am), Mwamba vs. Kisii (10.54am), Impala vs. Machine (11.12am), KCB vs. Mombasa (11.30am), Strathmore vs. Nondies (11.48am), Kabras vs. KCA (12.06pm), Homeboyz vs. Western Bulls (12.24pm), Nakuru vs, Blak Blad (12.42pm), Quins vs. Kisii (1.00pm), Mwamba vs. Qilers (1.18pm), Impala vs. Mombasa (1.36pm), KCB vs. Machine (1.54pm), Strathmore vs. KCA (2.12pm), Kabras vs. Nondies (2.30pm), Blak Blad Western Bulls (3.24pm), Oilers vs. Kisii (3.42pm), Machine vs. Mombasa (4.00pm), Nondies vs. KCA (4.18pm), Homeboyz vs. Nakuru (4.36pm), Quins vs Mwamba (4.54pm), Impala vs. KCB (5.12pm), Strathmore vs. Kabras (5.30pm)
