Youngsters Philip Owuor, Churchill Ooko in Shujaa team
Strathmore Leos Billy Odhiambo (right) breaks away from Kenyatta University's Paul Namenya during their Kenya Cup Rugby League match on November 15, 2014 at University of Nairobi grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- The rest of the players have either featured for Shujaa or Kenya Sevens in various international assignments.
- Weru said expectations are high by virtue of Kenya being a big sevens rugby nation and the defending champions.
Two youngsters, Philip Owuor (Nakuru) and Churchill Ooko (Strathmore Leos), have been shortlisted in Kenya Shujaa provisional squad that will defend the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Sevens Cup.
Coach Gibson Weru said the two forwards are in the tentative squad of 17 who will now have to prove themselves before making the final side of 12 for the Africa Cup Sevens tournament due for November 29-30 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The rest of the players have either featured for Shujaa or Kenya Sevens in various international assignments.
Martin Owillah (Nakuru), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Alex Olaba (Strathmore) and Davis Chenge (Western Bulls) featured for Kenya Sevens in the opening leg of the 2014/2015 IRB World Sevens Series in Gold Coast in October.
It was the players’ maiden appearances in the IRB Series, save for Chenge. It now means they will miss the second leg in Dubai next month when Kenya Sevens head coach Paul Treu names his team.
Weru said the players who have been with the larger Kenya Sevens squad of 35 at Brookhouse will start to train as a team today at the Jamhuri Park show grounds at 5.30pm.
“I hope to name the final squad by the end of the week,” said Weru, adding that the team will train on Tuesday and Wednesday next week before flying out on Wednesday to Harare.
Weru said expectations are high by virtue of Kenya's being a big sevens rugby nation and the defending champions.
“The task ahead is enormous with the public expecting victory from us. We are definitely the target as defending champions but we are ready to rumble for victory in Harare,” said Weru. Kenya Shujaa claimed the Africa Cup last year when they beat Zimbabwe 24-19 in the final at the Mombasa Sports Club grounds.
Shujaa won Plate during the Safaricom Safari Sevens in September, beating Auckland Metron 17-14 in the final.
SQUAD
Martin Owillah, Philip Owuor, Charles Odhiambo (Nakuru), Jacob Ojee, Brian Omondi, Peter Kilonzo, Billy Isabwa (KCB), Alex Olaba, Churchill Ooko, Tony Onyango, Sammy Motari (Strathmore Leos), Brian Wandera (Quins), Oscar Dennis (Nondies), Sam Onsomu (Impala Saracens), Shaban Ahmed (Mwamba), Davis Chenge (Western Bulls) and Humphrey Mulama (Homeboyz).
