‘You are going to need all the might’ - Rugby Africa boss warns Shujaa ahead of Olympics qualifiers

© Shujaa

RUGBY ‘You are going to need all the might’ - Rugby Africa boss warns Shujaa ahead of Olympics qualifiers

Joel Omotto 08:04 - 16.09.2023

Rugby Africa boss Herbert Mensah has told Kenya Sevens to expect a tougher job at the Africa Sevens which will also act as 2024 Olympics qualifiers in Zimbabwe this weekend

Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah has told Kenya Sevens to expect a tougher assignment during the Africa Sevens, which will also act as the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, in Harare, Zimbabwe this weekend.

Shujaa are in Pool B alongside Zambia, Namibia, and Nigeria and will begin their Olympic qualifiers against the West Africans. They will then tackle Namibia before completing group-stage action against Zambia.

Shujaa’s path to victory will be made harder this time by the presence of South Africa, who are taking part in the qualifies after failing to secure a ticket to the Paris Games in the World Sevens Series, and given only the winner will gain directly entry, Mensah has told Kenya to prepare for a bruising battle.

“To the extra ordinary Kenyan team to be in one of the most important tournaments that African rugby has ever seen, the Olympic qualification sevens series in Harare, what a line-up,” Mensah said in his message to Shujaa.

“Who cannot stop to mention that great Kenyan team and I know captains (Vincent) Onyala and (Tony) Omondi that you have got a set of extra ordinary players with you and you are trying to regain your supremacy back where you belong, the HSBC Sevens where the whole world cheers for Africa when they see Kenya enter the pitch.

“But this year, it’s going to be a lot tougher. You are going to need all the might, all working together. From (Brian) Tanga, (Kevin) Wekesa, (John) Okoth, (George) Ooro, (Nigel) Amaitsa, (Samuel) Asati, (William) Muhanji, (Bildad) Ogeta, (Patrick) Odongo, (Festus) Shiasi.

“You are all going to have to work together as a unit if you are going to restore your place at the top of Africa.”

Shujaa coach Kevin Wambua believes the best way to tackle their opponents is winning one game at a time and ensuring they finish top of their group to get a favourable quarter-final draw that will put them in good stead to reach the semi-finals.

Pool A features South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia and Ivory Coast with Pool C comprising of Uganda, hosts Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Algeria.

If Kenya fail to win the tournament, they will hope to finish second or third to qualify for the 2024 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament while also making it to the 2024 Challenger Series.