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Shujaa coach Kevin Wambua has explained how he will prepare Shujaa to claw their way back into Division 1 of the HSBC SVNS series after being confirmed in Division 2 for the forthcoming season.
Shujaa head coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua has vowed to fight on with his charges to make sure they qualify for Division One of the newly-reformatted HSBC SVNS Series following their successful campaign at the just concluded Los Angeles leg.
Last week, World Rugby announced they would be shaking up the current format of the tournament, with the intention being to reduce the number of core teams from 12 to eight.
This caught them off guard, considering their aim was to make the playoff finals, win, and secure their core status for next season before the changes were announced.
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Shujaa, who were placed in pool A against Samoa, Portugal and USA, opened their campaign with mixed results.
Despite managing only one win and suffering two losses in the pool stages, they finished second in their group, earning them a playoff final berth.
In the must-win final, Shujaa rose to the occasion with a commanding 24-5 victory over the Canadians, sealing their place in the 2026 Division 2 with style.
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Wambua: We were gutted
“We were gutted by the decision,” Wambua admitted in an interview with SportPesa News. “Our priority before the change was to win the playoffs and secure our return to the series. But I told the boys: control what we can control.”
With the main series now streamlined and the competition restructured into two tiers, Wambua says Shujaa is now focused on using Division 2 as a stepping stone to reclaim their place among rugby’s global giants.
“Our priority this weekend was to make sure that we are in Div 2. Now, we are going to use Div 2 as a platform to get back to the main series,” he said.
Under the new format, Division 2 will feature six teams per gender competing across three events. A fourth tournament—the standalone Challenger event—will host eight teams per gender who qualify via their respective regions.
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The top four sides in Division 2 will then face off with eight top-tier teams in the season finale, presenting a clear but narrow pathway to becoming world champions.
Wambua laid out an ambitious plan to keep Shujaa match-sharp despite playing fewer official events.
“We know we’re only playing three tournaments. They’ll be playing six before we even meet. So it’s upon us to source satellite tournaments so we can stay sharp.
“We need competitive tournaments so that by the time we face them, we’re at the same level.”
The coach also expressed gratitude to the ever-loyal Kenyan fans, who have followed the team across continents through the highs and lows.
“To all the fans who travelled halfway across the world—thank you. Dubai was good, Perth was excellent, and LA was superb. Everyone was cheering us on.
“Be patient—we now have both the men’s and women’s teams in Division 2, and I’m confident we’ll get back to the top.”
He stressed the importance of both hard work and smart planning as they await the release of the 2026 fixture list.
“We need to play the same number of tournaments as those in Division One. Once the calendar is out, we’ll pick tournaments that keep us competitive and match-fit.”
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Wambua heaps praise on Lionesses’ historic achievements
Wambua also had glowing praise for the Lionesses, who punched their ticket to Division 2 in the women’s competition, thanks in part to the continued backing of sponsor MPESA.
“I’m happy for them—especially that big win against South Africa. Massive. I went there, and I’m just happy with the progress. Now let’s see if both teams can make it to Division One.”
With a clear vision, tactical adaptability, and unwavering fan support, Shujaa’s next chapter in Division 2 promises to be as fierce as ever.
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