Menengai Oilers utility player Dennis Abukuse and Strathmore Leos George Ooro have been called up to the Kenya squad for the Hong Kong sevens slated for next month.
Abukuse was impressive for the Nakuru-based outfit as they bagged the national Sevens title for the first time in their history.
Ooro led a resurgent Strathmore Leos outfit side that finished third overall in the circuit.
Mwamba play-maker Daniel Taabu and forward Bush Mwale who both missed the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town last month due to disciplinary issues have been recalled to the side.
Speaking during the unveiling of the squad, head coach Damian McGrath said despite the side being cash-strapped, the boys are ready for the season opener in the far East.
“The boys have shown the hunger and desire to improve for the upcoming season. We have a couple of more days to fine-tune our preparations before we depart for Hong Kong on Sunday,” he said.
The Englishman added that they have worked on the kickoff reception in training. “Yes it’s something we have worked on as opponents tend to punish you for small errors,” added McGrath.
He revealed that there are a lot of exceptional players coming through who will be introduced to the World Sevens Series circuit after promising displays in the national Sevens circuit.
“I went to the Sevens tournament in June and July and I can tell you there is a lot of talent in the country and we want to give them a chance and put pressure on the existing players within the setup,” he noted.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) technical director Thomas Odundo said they are finalising the contracts for a 20-man squad which should be ready by next week.
“We are in the final stages of the contracts and I hope by next week they will be ready for the players to sign,” added Odundo.
Shujaa face a tricky test in Hong Kong, where they face World Cup Sevens bronze medallists Ireland. They then clash with Argentina and complete the preliminaries against Canada.
The Kenya Lionesses squad was also named for the Africa Cup tournament with head coach Dennis Mwanja handing out debuts to Natasha Emali, Hesla Khisa, Naomi Jelagat and Phoebe Akinyi. The Lionesses open their campaign against Zambia on Saturday in Kampala.
Shujaa squad: Nelson Oyoo (captain), Vincent Onyala (vice-captain), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz), Willy Ambaka, Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba) Johnstone Olindi (KCB), Daniel Taabu (Mwamba), Edmund Anya (Impala), Anthony Omondi (Mwamba), Herman Humwa (Quins), Kevin Wekesa (Kabras), Dennis Abukuse (Oilers) and George Ooro (Strathmore Leos).
