Shujaa Set to Shine in Cape Town 7s: Renewed Focus and Determination Drive Kenya 7s
Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, is gearing up for the Cape Town 7s, taking place this weekend, December 7-8, with renewed focus and determination following a 10th-place finish at the Dubai leg of the HSBC SVNS Series. The tournament offers the team a fresh opportunity to showcase their talent on the global stage under a revamped format introduced by World Rugby.
After a mixed campaign in Dubai, which featured moments of brilliance and areas for improvement, Shujaa heads to Cape Town with a clear objective: to establish themselves among the top contenders. The team’s journey in Dubai demonstrated grit and potential, leaving fans optimistic about their chances in South Africa.
Mixed Results in Dubai Spark Motivation
Shujaa’s performance in Dubai was a rollercoaster. They opened their campaign with a narrow 24-19 loss to France, a match that could have gone either way. However, the team bounced back spectacularly with a spirited 22-17 win over hosts South Africa, a result that showcased their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion.
The final pool match against Australia proved challenging, as Shujaa fell 31-14 to a clinical Australian side. Despite the setback, Kenya displayed their tenacity in the knockout stages, defeating Ireland 21-7 in the ninth-place semifinal. Unfortunately, they succumbed to Uruguay 15-7 in the 10th-place playoff, leaving the Dubai leg with valuable lessons and a renewed hunger for success.
Cape Town Offers a Fresh Start
The Cape Town 7s marks a new beginning for Shujaa, who are placed in Pool B alongside Australia and Spain. The team will kick off their campaign against Australia at noon before taking on Spain at 3:16 PM local time. With just three teams in each pool under the tournament’s new format, every game carries heightened stakes, as only the pool winners advance directly to the semifinals.
One more sleep and @KenyaSevens will be live in action at the @CapeTown7s. Here’s the Day one schedule. pic.twitter.com/YLBdNGmuN4
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) December 6, 2024
Assistant coach Louis Kisia exuded confidence in the team’s readiness ahead of the competition. “The boys are ecstatic and ready to rumble. We fell short in Dubai but gave a good performance of ourselves. We’ve polished up on areas that needed work and are ready to take on our opponents,” Kisia said.
Kisia emphasized the importance of taking each game at a time, analyzing weaknesses, and striving for consistent improvement. The former Strathmore Leos tactician believes Shujaa has what it takes to compete with the best and achieve their objectives.
Team Morale and Leadership
Shujaa captain George Ooro echoed Kisia’s sentiments, expressing optimism and determination ahead of the Cape Town challenge. “We’re feeling great and happy. Our recovery has been good, and we are looking forward to the game. It’s a tough pool, but we have to bring our A-game,” Ooro said.
Ooro acknowledged the challenges posed by the new format but maintained confidence in Shujaa’s ability to adapt and succeed. “The new format means every game is crucial. We need to stay focused, execute our game plan, and aim for the top eight,” he added.
Key Squad Changes and Returning Talent
A notable boost for Shujaa in Cape Town is the return of playmaker Tony Omondi. Omondi, who missed recent action due to a contractual dispute, was instrumental in the Shogun invitational side’s title-winning campaign in Dubai. His creativity and vision are expected to fill the void left by Chrisant Ojwang, who underwent surgery after sustaining an injury in Dubai.
The rest of the squad remains unchanged, signaling continuity and trust in the team’s core group of players. This stability is expected to provide a strong foundation for Shujaa as they navigate the high-pressure matches in Cape Town.
New Tournament Format Raises the Stakes
This year’s Cape Town 7s introduces a revamped format aimed at enhancing player welfare and increasing the significance of every match. World Rugby has divided the competition into four pools of three teams each. Pool winners will advance directly to the semifinals, while second-place finishers compete for fifth to eighth places. Third-place teams will play for ninth to twelfth positions.
World Rugby explained the rationale behind the changes, stating, “This format optimizes recovery and preparation time, ensuring every match has heightened significance.”
The condensed pool phase puts greater emphasis on performance in each game, leaving no room for complacency. For Shujaa, this means starting strong against Australia and maintaining consistency against Spain to secure their place in the semifinals.
Shujaa’s Focus and Objectives
With their sights set on a top-eight finish, Shujaa’s preparation has centered on addressing weaknesses and building on their strengths. The team’s set-pieces, defensive structure, and attacking execution have been key areas of focus during training sessions.
Assistant coach Kisia highlighted the team’s readiness to face their pool opponents. “We’ve done our homework on Australia and Spain. Both are quality sides, but we believe in our abilities. If we stick to our plan and play to our strengths, we can achieve our goals,” he said.
What’s at Stake for Shujaa?
The Cape Town 7s represents more than just another tournament for Shujaa—it’s an opportunity to cement their status as a competitive force in the HSBC SVNS Series. A strong showing in Cape Town could boost their confidence and momentum heading into the remainder of the season.
For fans, the team’s journey is a source of pride and inspiration. Shujaa’s resilience and determination embody the spirit of Kenyan rugby, and their performances continue to unite and inspire supporters back home.
As the Cape Town 7s unfolds, all eyes will be on Shujaa as they aim to make a mark and elevate their standing on the global stage.
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