- Shujaa name squad for Hong Kong 7s with head coach Kevin Wambua only making one change.
- Brian Tanga replaces Chrisant Ojwang in the 13-man squad.
- In Hong Kong, Shujaa have been drawn against Australia, New Zealand and USA.
Kenya 7s head coach Kevin Wambua has unveiled the Shujaa squad for the Hong Kong 7s taking place from 17-19 April 2026 which marks the first outing of the three-legged HSBC World Championship Series.
Wambua has kept faith with the team that finished runners-up in the 2026 SVNS 2, making only one change as Kabras Sugar RFC scrum-half Brian Tanga replaces Chrisant Ojwang ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Tanga, who made his Shujaa bow at the 2016 Hong Kong 7s, returns to the squad for the first time this season after overcoming a neck injury sustained during the 2025 Dala 7s and will add much-needed experience to the team as they battle to return to the main stage.
Coach Wambua was clear about Tanga’s value saying, “He brings a lot of experience to the side and is the kind of player you want in tight games. His understanding of the game is top notch and we expect him to add immeasurable impact to the team.”
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Shujaa name squad for Hong Kong 7s
Reigning National Sevens Circuit champions KCB RFC, supply five players including co-captains George ‘Japolo’ Ooro and Samuel Asati as well as Vincent Onyala, Festus Shiasi and Floyd Wabwire.
Kabras Sugar contribute Tanga and Kevin Wekesa who is still fresh from winning the IOC Climate Action Award 2025.
Other players in the squad include Menengai Oilers’ Denis Abukuse and John Okoth, two gritty forwards who were central to Kenya’s defensive shutout in a decisive game against Canada in Sao Paulo.
Others are Nygel Amaitsa (Strathmore Leos), Gabriel Ayimba, son of legendary Shujaa player and coach Benjamin Ayimba, speedster Patrick Odongo (Daystar Falcons) and David Nyangige.
Co-captain Asati talked of the team’s minimum expectations saying, “We all know what’s at stake and we will have to raise our game. Focus is on the opener against Australia where we need a great performance to give us a strong foundation towards securing a top 8 finish which is our bare minimum.”
Shujaa has been drawn ino a tough Pool C alongside Australia, New Zealand, and the USA who beat them to the SVNS 2 crown.
In Hong Kong, Shujaa have been drawn against Australia, New Zealand, and USA at Kai Tak Sports Stadium.
The clash with USA will be particularly spicy. In Sao Paulo, Shujaa exacted sweet revenge with a dominant 31–14 victory over the Eagles after a series of near misses.
Against Australia and New Zealand, Shujaa will need to be clinical and composed, drawing on everything they have learned across three legs of hard-earned SVNS 2 Rugby.
Kenya must finish inside the top eight of the 12 World Championship teams across Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux to earn promotion back to HSBC SVNS 1 for 2027.
