One debutant included as Shujaa squad for final HSBC World Championship legs is named

Kenya national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, head coach Kevin Wambua, has named a 13-man squad for the final legs of the HSBC SVNS World Championship set for Valladolid, Spain and Bordeaux, France.

The squad was unveiled on Wednesday, May 22, 2026, at Kasarani Stadium after the team completed its final training session ahead of departure for Europe.

Strathmore Leos winger Victor “Mola” Odhiambo earned his maiden call-up to the national team after impressive performances in the 2025 national sevens circuit and is in line to make his world series debut.

Odhiambo comes into the squad in place of Floyd Wabwire, while Chrisant Ojwang returns after missing the Hong Kong leg through injury. Gabriel Ayimba also misses out on the travelling team.

George Ooro and Samuel Asati will continue leading Shujaa, serving as co-captains. Other experienced players retained in the squad include Kevin Wekesa, Dennis Abukuse, Vincent Onyala, Festus Shiasi, and Brian Tanga.

Patrick Odongo also returns after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of the closing stages of the Hong Kong tournament.

Shujaa head into the decisive tournaments seeking a strong finish in the series as they prepare to face some of the world’s top rugby sevens nations.

A top-eight finish at the end of the series for Shujaa will secure automatic promotion to the 2027 HSBC SVNS Division 1, as they currently sit seventh overall on eight points after finishing seventh in the first leg held in Hong Kong last month.

Kenya has been drawn in a difficult Pool A alongside Australia national rugby sevens team, South Africa national rugby sevens team and Great Britain national rugby sevens team in Valladolid.

The Kenyan side will begin its campaign against Australia on May 29 before taking on South Africa later the same day. Shujaa will conclude their pool fixtures against Great Britain on May 30.

Speaking during the squad announcement, coach Wambua expressed confidence in his charges ahead of the crucial fixtures.

“The preparations have been good and the boys are ready. We are confident heading into these tournaments and now it is all about showing up, competing well, and representing the country with pride,” said Wambua.

The Valladolid tournament will be staged at Estadio José Zorrilla and serves as the penultimate leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship series before the final round in Bordeaux from June 5 to 7.

Kenya 7s Shujaa squad: George Ooro(co-captain), Samuel Asati(co-captain), Kevin Wekesa, Dennis Abukuse, John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, Nygel Amaitsa, Patrick Odongo, Festus Safari, Chrisant Ojwang, David Nyangige, Brian Tanga, and Victor Odhiambo Mola.