Kenya Sevens head coach Kevin Wambua has named Glacious Owino, a star player from Menengai Oilers, in the squad for the upcoming Africa Sevens Cup Championship in Mauritius. Owino's impressive performance in the National Sevens Circuit campaign earned him a call-up to the team. He will join other players, including Patrick Sabatia and Brian Mutua from Kabras, Dennis Livoi from Mwamba, and Lucky Onyango from Oilers.
Owino's consistent campaign across all five legs of the domestic circuit and his recent Most Valuable Player award at the Christie Sevens have made him a valuable addition to the squad. His pace and decision-making skills are expected to enhance the team's chances of winning the continental title, which has eluded Kenya for the past two seasons. The squad also includes experienced players like Elvis Olukusi and Rayvon Ambale, who will co-captain the team.
The Kenya Sevens squad has undergone two weeks of intensive preparations under Wambua's guidance. The coach believes that the blend of youth and experience in the team will give them a competitive edge in the tournament. "We had an intense training period and, with a blend of youth and experience, we want to go all out and win," Wambua said. The team will be led by co-captains Olukusi and Ambale, and will also feature players like Gabriel Ayimba and Victor Odhiambo.
Kenya will open their Pool B campaign against Namibia on Saturday at 8:44 am EAT, followed by matches against Réunion and Madagascar. The Mauritius tournament is a crucial event for the team, as it will provide valuable international competition ahead of the 28th edition of Safari Sevens, which will be held at Nyayo National Stadium from October 9-11. The tournament will also determine the rankings of the participating teams below the top two sides, Kenya and South Africa.
The Kenya squad for the Mauritius tournament includes a mix of experienced and emerging players. Brian Mutua, Clinton Amukwachi, David Nyangige, Arnold Agonda, and Victor Odhiambo are some of the regular Shujaa campaigners who have been included in the team. The squad also features Dennis Livoi, who impressed during Mwamba's competitive campaign, and Lucky Onyango, who was influential for Oilers in the National Sevens Circuit.
The Africa Sevens Cup Championship is a significant event for Kenya, as they aim to win their first continental title in two seasons. The team's performance in the tournament will be crucial in determining their ranking in the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens rankings under the revised Rugby Africa format. Kenya and South Africa currently occupy the top two positions in the rankings.
The final Kenya squad for the Mauritius tournament includes Elvis Olukusi, Rayvon Ambale, Brian Mutua, Clinton Amukwachi, Patrick Sabatia, David Nyangige, Glacious Owino, Dennis Livoi, Arnold Agonda, Lucky Onyango, and Victor Mola. With a strong team and intensive preparations, Kenya will look to make a significant impact in the tournament and claim the continental title.
Key points
- Glacious Owino's call-up to the Kenya Sevens squad
- Kenya's chances of winning the continental title
- The team's preparations and squad composition
