Shujaa battles for survival as Lionesses chase promotion in crucial sevens tournaments
Kenya’s rugby sevens teams, Shujaa and Lionesses, face defining moments in their respective campaigns as they gear up for crucial tournaments in their quest for survival and promotion. Shujaa battles to retain their HSBC SVNS Series status with back-to-back Hong Kong and Singapore Sevens, while the Lionesses aim to maintain their top-four position in the World Rugby Seven Challenger Series as they head to Krakow.
Kenya’s national rugby sevens teams, Shujaa and Lionesses, are set for make-or-break tournaments in their respective campaigns, with both sides eyeing crucial results to determine their future in global competitions.
Shujaa’s fight for survival in HSBC SVNS Series
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Shujaa will be battling to secure their place in the HSBC SVNS Series as they head into the Hong Kong Sevens this weekend, followed by the Singapore Sevens on 5-6 April. Currently ranked ninth with 15 points, Kenya must outperform Great Britain by 18 points across the two legs to move up to eighth place and avoid the relegation play-offs at the Las Vegas Sevens in May.
Kenya faces a formidable challenge in Pool C of the Hong Kong Sevens, taking on second-placed Spain, fifth-placed France, and direct relegation rivals Great Britain. With past losses to France (24-19 in Dubai and 33-7 in Vancouver) and Spain (14-7 in Cape Town), Shujaa will be looking to settle scores while capitalising on their mixed record against Great Britain, having beaten them 32-17 in Cape Town before a 28-10 loss in Vancouver.
The team’s first match will be against Spain at 6:39 am, followed by Great Britain at 9:23 am, with their final pool match against France scheduled for Saturday at 5:16 am at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium.
Coach Kevin Wambua has made one change to the squad, bringing in Festus Shiasi for Jackson Biketi. The squad includes co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati, along with key players such as Kevin Wekesa, William Mwanji, Dennis Abukuse, and Vincent Onyala. Additionally, Morgan Ngumbi replaces Steven Were as team manager, joining a technical bench that includes assistant coach Louis Kisia, strength and conditioning coach Andrew Amonde, and physiotherapist Lamech Bogonko.
Lionesses target top four in Krakow
Meanwhile, the Kenya Lionesses will be in action at the Krakow leg of the 2025 World Rugby Seven Challenger Series from 11-12 April, seeking to secure a place in the top four and qualify for the SVNS promotion play-off tournament in Los Angeles.
Drawn in Pool A, the Lionesses will face Belgium, Thailand, and Colombia in their pool-stage matches, all scheduled for Saturday, 11 April. Having already defeated Belgium (17-5) and Colombia (12-5) in the Cape Town leg, Kenya will look to continue their dominance and extend their lead at the top of the standings.
Currently leading the overall rankings with 40 points, the Lionesses hold a strong position, six points ahead of second-placed South Africa and 10 ahead of Argentina and Colombia. The top four teams at the end of the Krakow leg will qualify for the Los Angeles promotion play-offs set for 3-4 May.
Despite being ranked ninth with eight points, Belgium earned a place in the tournament after eighth-placed Uganda withdrew due to visa issues. Pool B consists of hosts Poland, Argentina, Czechia, and South Africa, making it a highly competitive event.
Coach Dennis Mwanja’s team will be aiming for another strong showing to cement their place in the promotion play-offs and continue their push for a return to the HSBC SVNS Series.
With Shujaa fighting for survival and the Lionesses aiming for promotion, both teams face defining moments that could shape the future of Kenyan rugby sevens on the global stage.
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