Kenyan Shujaa coach Damian McGrath will be looking for a much-improved showing from his charges as they look to open the Hong Kong Sevens this weekend in better form than they did in the last HSBC World Series.
McGrath, who took over the side halfway through the season, wasn’t given much of a chance to put structures in place in his first few tournaments but has now had the luxury of a few more weeks of training with the side and is hoping for a better outcome.
He added two debutants - George Ooro and Dennis Abukuse - to his 14-man squad from the local Kenyan league as he looks to build on the work he has done thus far. Abukuse was a star for Kenya Cup finalists - the Oilers, and won his first National Sevens title with the team a few months ago, while Ooro played for Leos, who finished third.
The side includes captain Nelson Oyoo and a number of regulars, including Willy Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo.
"I have no club bias and I pick according to what I see and come across. These guys have been very impressive and let's hope they will give their best in Hong Kong. I am really pleased with many exciting players that we are adding into the system and the senior guys are now looking over their shoulders and knowing there is competition," McGrath told Capital FM this week in selecting his side.
Kenya open their campaign on Friday against Ireland and Argentina, with their final group game to be against Canada, who finished a place behind them in 13th in the 2022 Series.
Shujaa squad:Nelson Oyoo (C), Vincent Onyala (V/C), Bush Mwale, Willy Ambaka, Billy Odhiambo, Johnstone Olindi. Daniel Taabu, Edmund Anya, Anthony Omondi, Herman Humwa, Kevin Wekesa, Dennis Abukuse (debut), George Ooro (debut)
Hong Kong Sevens Groups
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Hong Kong
Group B: South Africa, France, Great Britain, Uruguay
Group C: Fiji, USA, Spain, Japan
Group D: Argentina, Ireland, Kenya, Canada