Teams send strong squads to Prinsloo
What you need to know:
- The last four events in the National Sevens Series starting with Saturday’s Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru promises breathtaking moments with title contenders roping in top Kenya Simbas and Kenya Sevens players for their ultimate push.
- Prinsloo Sevens champions Homeboyz, who are also the Series champions, have dug into the Kenya Simbas squad to fish out Joshua Chisanga and Philip Ikambili to boost his forward attack with Tony Onyango coming at the backline.
- Homeboyz, who won Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa before finishing sixth at Kabeberi Sevens, will face Strathmore Leos, the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine and Mombasa in Pool “C” at in the contest that will be staged at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
The last four events in the National Sevens Series starting with Saturday’s Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru promises breathtaking moments with title contenders roping in top Kenya Simbas and Kenya Sevens players for their ultimate push.
Prinsloo Sevens champions Homeboyz, who are also the Series champions, have dug into the Kenya Simbas squad to fish out Joshua Chisanga and Philip Ikambili to boost his forward attack with Tony Onyango coming at the backline.
Homeboyz, who won Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa before finishing sixth at Kabeberi Sevens, will face Strathmore Leos, the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine and Mombasa in Pool “C” at in the contest that will be staged at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
Impala Saracens, who retained their Kabeberi Sevens after finishing sixth at Driftwood, have Kenya Sevens players Samuel Oliech, Samson Onsomu and Derrick Mayar, back to boost their chances.
The Sarries, who beat Menengai Oilers 22-5 to retain Kabeberi Sevens a fortnight ago, take on hosts Nakuru, Nondescripts, and Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in Pool “A”.
Hosts Nakuru will have Kenya Sevens players Oscar Ouma and Nelson Oyoo back after a long layoff from the team, while Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde will play for Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) for the first time this season.
KCB will face-off Kabras Sugar Catholic Monks and Mount Kenya University-Thika in Pool “D”.
Menengai Oilers dislodged Homeboyz from the top of the standings with 36 points despite losing to Impala at Kabeberi Sevens final.
Homeboyz slumped to two places to third even though they tie with Impala on 34 points each. Youthful Menengai Oilers will meet Kenya Harlequin, Mwamba and Western Bulls in Pool “B”.
Oilers might not be having top guns in their fold but their opponents Quins, who had lukewarm shows in Mombasa and Nairobi, turn to the experiences Kenya Sevens players Patrice Agunda, Frank Wanyama and Eden Agero.
Chisanga and Ikambili will replace Riddick Okwemba and Stanley Isogon for Homeboyz side that is sponsored by Menengai Cream Soap.
Homeboyz also welcomes back Collins Shikoli, who featured at Driftwood but missed Kabeberi owing to an injury.
Interestingly, the Deejays will field former Impala Saracens players Mohammed Omollo and Israel Soi for the first time after being cleared by their former club.
“We are not taking chances especially after some lapses saw us slump to sixth place at Kabeberi after winning in Mombasa,” said Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga.
Impala, who beat Menengai Oilers 22-5 to retain Kabeberi Sevens title a fortnight ago in Nairobi, will be without injured Leon Adongo, George Okoa and Ian Mabwa.
“Ours is the pool of death but we shall prevail since there are no dark horses in the series,” said Impala team manager Nick Abok.
Meanwhile, Nakuru coach Mitch Ocholla has welcomed the increase of pool of players from 12 to 16 because of fatigue as most of the events will involve a lot of travelling.
