Kenya 7s skipper returns ahead of final IRB Series legs

Kenya Shujaa's Oscar Ayodi is chased by Osea Kolinisau of Fiji during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on January 26, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO | ETHAN MILLER | AFP

What you need to know:

  • London Sevens is due June 2 and 3 at Twickenham Stadium, England, and will be followed by the Paris Sevens on June 8 to 10 at Stade Jean-Bouin, France.
  • Ayodi, who will be deputised by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) forward Andrew Amonde, takes back the armband from Oscar Ouma, who has led the team for the last two legs.
  • Ayodi makes a return alongside Dennis Ombachi (Mwamba), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar) and Eric Ombasa (Menengai Oilers).

Homeboyz centre Oscar Ayodi is back to captain Kenya Sevens team for the last legs of the 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series in London and Paris next month.

Ayodi, who first captained the team in the opening legs of Dubai and South Africa last year before he sustained a knee injury, is one of the four players who are making a return for the finals legs.

London Sevens is due June 2 and 3 at Twickenham Stadium, England, and will be followed by the Paris Sevens on June 8 to 10 at Stade Jean-Bouin, France.

Ayodi, who will be deputised by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) forward Andrew Amonde, takes back the armband from Oscar Ouma, who has led the team for the last two legs.

Ayodi makes a return alongside Dennis Ombachi (Mwamba), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar) and Eric Ombasa (Menengai Oilers).

Ombachi has been out since injuring his ankle during the season opening leg in Dubai, while Tanga is making a return since the fourth leg of New Zealand Sevens. Ombasa has not played since making his World Rugby Series debut in Dubai and Cape Town.

Ouma, Dan Sikuta (Kabras Sugar) and Samuel Oliech have been exempted by head coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu from the Europe legs owing to various reasons.

Sikuta is away on compassionate leave, having lost his brother Gideon Mabele, who was interred last weekend, while Oliech got injured in training.

Kenya Sevens, who are placed sixth in the Series with 93 points, will face off USA, France and hosts England in Pool “C” at London Sevens.

Simiyu called on his charges to end the Series with a flourish even though most teams head into the final legs with mental fatigue.

“I am happy with my team’s performance this season. I must say we are on track regarding the results but we are not yet there,” said Simiyu while announcing the teams on Wednesday at the RFUEA grounds.

However, Simiyu said his team is yet to get its defensive fundamental right.

“We shall managed the situation in the remaining legs before addressing it conclusively,” said Simiyu

Shujaa Squad

Oscar Ayodi (Homeboyz,Captain), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Andrew Amonde (KCB), Willy Ambaka (Quins), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), Jeff Oluoch (Homeboyz),Herman Humwa (Quins), Nelson Oyoo (Nakuru), Eden Agero (Quins), Brian Tanga (Kabras), Augustine Lugonzo (Homeboyz), Dennis Ombachi (Nondies), Erick Ombasa (Oilers)