Kenya’s national sevens teams, Shujaa and the Lionesses, have bolstered their squads with key returns and fresh reinforcements as they prepare for the second and third legs of the HSBC SVNS2 series in Montevideo, Uruguay, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Both teams concluded their final training sessions at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on Friday before embarking on a demanding 30-hour journey to South America on Sunday. The two tournaments will be decisive in determining which teams remain in contention for promotion to the top-tier HSBC SVNS1 competition, with only the top four after the three legs progressing.

For the Kenya Lionesses, the return of experienced forward Judith Auma Okumu from injury offers a significant boost. Faith Livoi has also been recalled to the squad, stepping in for Phoebe Otieno, who has been ruled out for four months after sustaining an ankle injury during the first leg in Nairobi. Christabel Lindo also returns to the lineup to fill the void left by Grace Okulu, who is unavailable due to club commitments with Racing 92 in France.

Head coach Simon Odongo named a 13-player squad led by captain Sheila Chajira and vice-captain Fresha Oduor. The team will be seeking redemption after finishing fifth in Nairobi, a result that left them outside the crucial top-four bracket.

Odongo admitted the team must improve significantly if they are to stay in the promotion race.

“Our work is cut out,” said Odongo. “We fell short here in Nairobi, and the ladies know what is expected of them. One of the areas we have been working on in the last three weeks is execution because our decision-making was not good enough in the first leg. We went off script in some areas and were caught out, so we have polished those aspects.”

Captain Chajira echoed her coach’s sentiments, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings in the opening leg.

“We fell short here in Nairobi, but in Montevideo and Sao Paulo we will do our best to put our flag high,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kenya Shujaa have also strengthened their ranks with the return of experienced campaigner Brian Tanga, who rejoins the squad after nearly a year on the sidelines. Promising youngster Gabriel Ayimba has also been included as the team looks to build on their third-place finish in the Nairobi leg.

Head coach Kevin Wambua said the technical bench had focused heavily on refining the team’s attacking structures following their opening performance.

“Our biggest concern in Nairobi was our attacking framework,” said Wambua. “We reviewed a lot of video footage and worked on improving our decision-making and execution in attack. The boys have picked up well and we are executing our plays with much more clarity now.”

Co-captain Samuel Asati believes the squad is well prepared for the challenge ahead after an intense three-week training block that included a five-day residential camp in Kasarani.

“The boys have trained well and we believe we are up to the task,” said Asati. “There are no easy games at this level, so we have to approach every match like a final.”

Kenya Rugby Union director of rugby Paul Odera expressed confidence that both teams have the quality to achieve their objectives in South America.

“For our Lionesses, the girls and their leadership know they must put in a much better performance because their goal is to get into the championship,” said Odera. “Looking at the work that has been done since the successful Nairobi tournament, we have every confidence they can finish in the top four.”

With promotion hopes on the line, both Kenyan sides will be under pressure to deliver strong performances when the SVNS2 series resumes in Uruguay next weekend.

Kenya Lionesses squad:

1. Naomi Amuguni
2. Charity Nillah
3. Christabel Lindo
4. Sheila Chajira (captain)
5. Stella Wafula 
6. Faith Livoi
7. Edith Nariaka
8. Judith Auma
9. Sinaida Mokaya
10. Moreen Muritu
11. Janet Okello
12. Freshia Oduor (vice-captain)
13. Marvel Oswago

Kenya Shujaa squad: 

1. George Ooro (Co-captain)
2. ⁠Samuel Asati (Co-captain)
3. ⁠John Okoth
4. ⁠Dennis Abukuse
5. ⁠Vincent Onyala
6. ⁠Kevin Wekesa
7. ⁠Patrick Odongo
8. ⁠Festus Shiasi
9. ⁠Nygel Amaitsa
10. ⁠Floyd Wabwire
11. ⁠Christan Ojwang
12. ⁠David Nyangige
13. ⁠Gabriel Ayimba
14. Brian Tanga