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Shujaa and Lionesses teams unveiled for historic SVNS 2 outing in Kenya
By Joe Harvey
Kenya’s Men and Women have confirmed the squads that will compete on home soil in the HSBC SVNS 2 opener this weekend.
The Shujaa and Lionesses will be home favourites for the tournament hosted at Nyayo Stadium. Nairobi is the first leg of the HSBC SVNS 3 season, which has further events in Montevideo and São Paulo.
Whichever teams place in the top four of the round robin competition at the end of the third tournament will graduate to the HSBC SVNS World Championships.
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Over three tournaments, hosted in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux, teams can compete for a core team slot on the HSBC SVNS Series.
It is the first time that a tournament of this magnitude has been hosted in Kenya.
Both teams have been hard at work with their preparations for several months. Kenya’s men travelled to South Africa where they played a series of matches against the Blitzboks, while the women’s side went to Spain for a training camp with Las Leonas and Belgium.
The men’s side will play matches against Germany, Belgium, Canada, Uruguay and the USA.
“Our decision-making and tactical acumen will be key this weekend,” Kevin Wambua, Kenya Men’s Sevens head coach, said. “We need to seize the moment from the opening whistle, minimise errors and set the tone early if we are to make a strong start.”
Simon Adongo has named two debutants in his Lionesses side. Both Charity Nilah and Marvel Oswago have impressed in local competition and are relishing the opportunity to join the national team for the first time.
Kenya’s women will compete with Argentina, Brazil, China, Spain and South Africa.
“We have managed to put in the work that was required having tested ourselves against some of the best opponents out there,” Simon Odongo, Kenya Women’s Sevens head coach, said.
“The girls are looking sharp, their spirits are high and we’ve basically been fine-tuning our structures and ensuring that the mental state of the players is where it needs to be for a tournament of this magnitude. Now we wait for action.”
Kenya Men’s Sevens squad for Nairobi
George Ooro (cc)
Samuel Asati (cc)
John Okoth
Dennis Abukuse
Vincent Onyala
Kevin Wekesa
Patrick Odongo
Festus Shiasi
Nygel Amaitsa
Floyd Wabwire
Chrissant Ojang
David Nyangige
Kenya Women’s Sevens squad for Nairobi
Naomi Amuguni
Moreen Muritu
Sheila Chajira (c)
Sinaida Nyachio
Edith Nariaka
Janet Okello
Marvel Oswago
Freshia Oduor
Charity Nilah
Grace Okulu
Stella Wafula
Phoebe Akinyi
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