Shujaa Co-Captain George Ooro on How 2025 Safari 7s Will Help Their HSBC 7s Div 2 Preparations

Shujaa captain George Ooro has explained why winning the Safari 7s title for the third season in a row will help their quest to challenge for a place in Division 1 in the newly-reformated HSBC 7s series.

Shujaa co-captain George Ooro believes winning the 2025 Safari 7s set to be held at Nyayo National Stadium will go a long way in helping the team prepare for the HSBC 7s Division 2 campaign in February.

Speaking to Pulse Sports on Thursday, Ooro, who made his debut for Shujaa in 2022, believes everything is on course for the side to successfully win the title for the fourth year in a row.

“We always take it a game at a time,” Ooro said ahead of the tournament. “We trust ourselves, the system, and the management. It’ll be one game at a time, giving our best to the last day.”

While the immediate target is to defend the Safari 7s crown, Ooro was explicit about the tournament’s strategic purpose. “Winning again would feel great, but it also gives us a pathway toward our Division 2 series beginning next year,” he said. 

“I’m fighting to be a two-time champion, not alone, but with my teammates. We’ll share the care.”

Ooro added that the squad is dedicating the weekend’s effort to head coach Kevin Mweema in celebration of his birthday week: “That’s a promise—we’ll give our best in every game.”

We Are a Close-Knit Family

Ooro, who made his debut for the side under Damien McGrath,  credits the group’s evolution to a tight culture and clear standards. 

“We’re united—more like a family—and the team comes first. That’s helped me grow from a rookie to co-captain through trust, coordination, ownership, and accountability.”

On preparations between now and February, Ooro said the team will maintain training loads and seize any high-quality match minutes available. 

“We’ll follow management’s plans. If invitation slots like Dubai come through, we’ll use them as part of our build-up. We’ll keep training and take guidance from management.”

He believes the group is better placed than last season. “This team is very talented and more mature now. Our culture is strong and management treats us like family, which motivates us,” he said, noting the boost from local backers: “The Social Health Authority, SportPesa, M-Pesa, and others coming on board brings unity and love around the team.”

What it signals: Safari 7s will be Shujaa’s proving ground, testing combinations, hardening habits, and keeping competitive rhythm, so that when February’s Division 2 campaign arrives, the team hits the start line in stride.