Category: Rugby

Menengai Oilers hope to defend their Impala Floodlit title after securing their second consecutive final in the 2025 edition by edging out KU Blak Blad 42-21 on Saturday in a main cup semifinal held at the Impala Club along Ngong Road.

The Oilers eliminated KCB Rugby in the quarterfinals, while Blak Blad defeated Kenya Harlequins, setting up a replay of the 2024 semifinal where the Oilers again proved their strength.

Oilers will now face Nondescript Rugby in the championship final.

Nondies secured their place by dispatching the hosts and last season’s defending champions, Impala RFC, with a tense 25-19 victory in the other Cup semifinal later that evening.

Much like the first semifinal, this match was also a repeat of the previous year’s final four, where the host team had narrowly beaten Nondies 9-6. This time, however, Nondies demonstrated their dominance to book a spot in the final.

The final is scheduled for Saturday, 8 November.

The Impala Floodlit is the final curtain-raiser event of the new Kenya Cup season that starts later this month, coming after the conclusion of the six-leg National Sevens Circuit.

In September, KCB were crowned the overall Sportpesa National Sevens Circuit champions after winning their fourth leg of the circuit. This win was however, determined after the Cup quarterfinal where they beat rivals Strathmore to secure the overall title.

They went ahead to beat Daystar in the Cup semifinal before securing the Dala 7s title after seeing off Kabras 12-05 in the final. KCB had a stellar performance throughout the Circuit, having made it to each of the six finals, losing two and winning four. They have lost only two of the 36 matches they have played throughout the six tournaments.

On Friday Menengai Oilers skipper Abraham Oyoo was bullish that the team can bring to an end the local dominance of Kabras Sugar that stretches over three seasons.

“If we have everyone’s support, then who are we not go for it?” he said terming the Impala Floodlit tourney as a preparation for the new season.

Last season, Oilers were on the cusp of winning their maiden Kenya Cup title, but their hopes were thwarted by Kabras losing 26-27 in April this year. That win saw Kabras clinch their fourth consecutive title and fifth in total.

Two weeks later, Kabras confirmed their local dominance by once again beating the Oilers 33-12 to claim their fifth consecutive Enterprise Cup at the Nakuru Showgrounds.

History looked imminent at the 2025 HSBC Singapore Sevens for Kenya Sevens (Shujaa).

In 2016, Kenya were playing Argentina in the semi-finals of the Singapore Sevens when Shujaa legend Collins Injera slotted a penalty drop kick from the ten-meter line to beat Argentina 15-12 with the final kick of the match. The victory earned them a final date with Fiji whom they upset 30-7 to lift their maiden World Rugby Series title.

History repeated itself today. Shujaa overcame Spain 12-5 to set up a final against Fiji who beat Argentina 33-24. All that was on Fiji’s mind was a revenge mission while Kenya on the other hand and led by Fijian-born Jone Kubu wanted to retain the bragging rights.

Fiji had the final laugh though as they shattered Shujaa’s hopes of back-to-back final victory against them (Fiji) with a 21-12 victory in a match played at the Singapore National Stadium.

The final started well for Kenya as Nigel Amaitsa scored and converted on the verge of half time to give Kenya a 7-0 lead going into the break.

The Fijians responded quickly after the break with Vuiviawa Naduvalo speeding down the flank to level matters. From there, momentum shifted Fiji’s way, with the rugby giants turning the game on its head by capitalizing on another penalty to win a scrum. Naduvalo completed his brace, putting Fiji ahead 14-7.

The Pacific Islanders put the game away from reach after Alusio Vakadranu scored a well executed try extending the lead to 21-7.

Kenya’s unrelenting efforts paid off, with William Mwanji scoring a try to bring the scores to 12-21 with Kubu missing the conversion.

Fiji held on for the victory, effectively denying Kenya a fairytale final and a replication of their 2016 heroics.

Shujaa’s journey to the final began with a commanding performance in the pool stages, where they topped their group with convincing wins.

Shujaa opened their campaign against Ireland. An early try and conversion from Nygel Amaitsa, saw Shujaa lead 7-0 inside the opening two minutes, before Kevin Wekesa went over in the sixth to take the score to 12-0 in the half-time break.

Patrick Odongo would go over the try line in the 12th minute to take the score to 17-0, before Ireland’s Josh Costello went over to make it 17-7 at full-time, after Mark Roche’s conversion.

Shujaa drew first blood in the second pool game against France, Vincent Onyala slicing through the French defence, in the third minute, with Nygel Amaitsa adding the extras for a 7-0 lead going into the half-time break. The Olympic gold medalists would reply soon after the break drawing level through a Quere Kabaka try and Enahemo Artaud conversion.

In the dying minutes of the second half, Shujaa would win a penalty 40 meters out, dead center, opting to go for the kick, Nygel Amaitsa splitting the uprights to win the game, 10-7 and book the team’s first semi final berth since being promoted back to the World series in the 2024/25 season.

Despite reaching the final, Shujaa will have to compete in the relegation/promotion play-offs in Los Angeles, USA in May after finishing the season ninth. The top four teams from the play-offs will remain in the main cup competition.

Defending champions Kabras Sugar are through to their 10th straight Kenya Cup final.

Kenya U20 full back Jackson Sketta scored a brace as the sugar men hammered Nondescripts 45-6 in the semifinals played on Saturday at Kakamega Showgrounds.

The win saw Kabras maintain their three-season long unbeaten run and will now start preparations to host the Kenya Cup for the sixth straight year in Kakamega on 12 April.

Sketta gave the hosts a 5-0 lead after finishing off a well-executed offload from Ntabeni Dukisa.

A series of Nondies attack followed before Tony Fidens reduced the deficit to 5-3 after splitting the posts with a penalty near the Kabras 22.

Sensing danger, Kabras increased the tempo and this time Sketta turned from scorer to provider after founding a charging Griffins Chao on the left wing for a corner post try for 10-3.

Dukisa who missed the opening two conversion amended his miss to stretch the lead to 13-3 with a penalty before the break.

In the final half, Dukisa added a penalty for 16-3 before Patrick Lumumba crossed the white wash for 23-3 after Dukisa’s conversion.

Another penalty followed by Dukisa for 26-3 before Nondies grabbed a penalty of their own for 26-6.

Alfred Orege joined in on the party to stretch the lead to 31-6 after Eric Cantona added the extras. Collins Indeche pushed the scores to 38-6 before Sketta rounded off the scores to win 45-6.

Menengai Oilers stunned favorites KCB 31-8 in the other semifinal played on Saturday at KCB Sports Club to set up a Rai Derby final against bitter rivals Kabras Sugar.

Oilers and Kabras will now meet twice, first in the Kenya Cup final and then the following week in the Enterprise Cup final.

Oilers were first to draw the first blood when Nelson Makokha scored off a maul to take a 7-0 lead after Timothy Omela’s conversion. Fortune Aturo stretched the lead to 14-0 after bundling over the KCB defense. Omela converted the try.

The bankers responded with Andy Cole Omollo’s corner post try that cut the gap to 14-5 after missed conversion.

However, Oilers had the last laugh after Omela booted in two penalties for 20-5 half time lead.

In the final half, Omela resumed with his kicking prowess, converting two more penalties for 26-5.

Samwel Ovwamu scored the last try for Oilers who picked a 31-8 win to sail through to the final.

Kenya’s most decorated rugby club Nondescripts is keen to end Kabras Sugar’s three season unbeaten run when they face off with the defending Kenya Cup champions in the semifinals set for Saturday at Kakamega Showgrounds.

Nondies have beaten Kabras just once, in the 2014/15 season when the sugar miller were making their debut in the top flight. Since then, the White Shirts have gone on to lose eight consecutive outings against the defending champions.

Kabras will be eying to complete a four-peat by booking their ninth consecutive Kenya Cup final . After topping the regular-season standings, they secured a direct semi-final spot for the sixth consecutive year.

Nondies, Kenya Cup’s most successful club, have made an impressive return to the top flight, reaching the semis for a second straight season. They punched their ticket to the last four with a commanding 38-22 win over Kenya Harlequin in the playoffs, completing a season double over their old rivals.

In the second semi final, former champions KCB Rugby will be keen to bounce back from their poor Enterprise Cup show when they welcome Menengai Oilers to their Ruaraka Grounds in a crucial Kenya Cup semifinal match set for Saturday.

The bankers lost back to back matches to reigning Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup champions Kabras Sugar in their last two meeting played over the past three weeks.

KCB Rugby, eight-time Kenya Cup champions, will be aiming to secure their spot in the final once again as they take on a formidable Menengai Oilers side. The bankers will be facing an Oilers side who hit Blak Blad 38-18 in the semifinal playoffs last week and will be keen to topple the bankers again like they did in 2021.

This year’s semis will be a repeat of last season’s semi-finals. Kabras claimed a 39-7 dominant win over Nondies. The story was different during this year’s regular season, with Kabras just doing enough for a 7-3 win.

KCB defeated Oilers 21-12 in last year’s semi-finals to advance to the final. Their most recent encounter was on 22 February this year, when KCB staged a comeback to defeat Menengai Oilers 29-27 in Ruaraka. At one point, the game was 22-12 in favor of Menengai Oilers, but they succumbed to KCB’s relentless pressure in the dying minutes of the game.

Fredrick Shisia, Nondies’ player, spoke about the team’s journey to the semi-finals and the belief within the squad.

“According to me and our side, I believe that we’ve worked very hard to get to where we are. Every game has had its ups and downs, but we have pushed through, and that’s why we are here today. We know we are playing against Kabras, and we expect them to come hard at us, but we are prepared, and we know what they are going to bring. Our biggest strength is our team bonding and the way we push each other to show up for training and give our best every time we step on the pitch.”

Austin Sikutwa, KCB winger, reflected on the season’s journey, emphasizing the team’s readiness despite facing stiff competition throughout.

“So far, the season has been great, though we’ve had some tough matches along the way. We’ve had to put our best foot forward, focus on teamwork, and ensure we execute our game plan effectively. The semi-final will be a tough match as it always is against Oilers, but I think the boys are ready, and we are well-prepared.”

In the first semi-final at Kakamega Showground, experienced referee Victor Oduor will take charge in his 120th Kenya Cup match. Oduor, following in the footsteps of legendary referees Godwin Karuga and Constant Cap, will be assisted by Kevin Wambugu and Robinson Kiplangat.

The second semi-final at KCB Sports Club will see Kevin Kioko officiate the clash. Kioko, who attained World Rugby’s Level Three match official accreditation in November, will be assisted by Godwin Karuga (first assistant) and Constant Cap (second assistant).

Nondescripts RFC secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2024/25 Kenya Cup after a thrilling 38-22 victory over Kenya Harlequin in a fiercely contested quarterfinal match on Saturday at Ngong Racecourse.

This marks Nondies’ second consecutive semifinal appearance since their promotion back to the top tier.

The match began with Nondies taking an early lead through a penalty kick by Bruce Odhiambo. However, Quins responded with a converted try to take the lead, only for Odhiambo to narrow the gap to 6-7 with another penalty.

Farran Juma extended Quins’ lead with a successful penalty, but Odhiambo struck back with two more penalties, giving Nondies a 12-10 edge in the closely fought contest.

Charles Omondi then strengthened Nondies’ position with a try near the posts, which was successfully converted, pushing the score to 19-10.

Kenya Harlequin’s Richard Wangila crossed the try line to cut the deficit to 19-17, setting up a tense second half.

Quins regained the lead with their third try, but Steve Odhiambo responded with Nondies’ second try, swinging the advantage back in their favor.

Tony Owuor further extended the lead to 33-22 with Nondies’ third try before sealing the victory with another late try, ensuring their place in the semifinals.

Nondescripts will now face defending champions Kabras RFC in the semifinals on Saturday, 29 March, in Kakamega.

Menengai Oilers also secured their semifinal berth after a convincing 38-18 victory over Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in Nakuru. This marks the fifth consecutive Kenya Cup semifinal appearance for the Oilers, who will take on KCB Rugby on 29 March, at KCB Sports Club.

The 2024/25 Kenya Cup final is set for 12 April 12.

In the Championship, Catholic Monks moved closer to Kenya Cup promotion with a 28-14 comeback victory over Homeboyz Rugby in a playoff match at Catholic University, Karen Campus.

Zetech also booked their place in the semifinals after a narrow 7-3 win over JKUAT Cougars.

Menengai Oilers will be banking on home advantage when they welcome Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad to the Nakuru ASK Showground in a high-stakes Kenya Cup playoff clash today.

The Nakuru-based side, which finished third in the regular season, is determined to book a semi-final date with second-placed KCB.

However, Blak Blad, known for their fast, free-flowing rugby, will be out to cause an upset and keep their championship dreams alive.

Meanwhile, the iconic Ngong Road Derby takes center stage as fourth-placed Nondescripts host fifth-placed Kenya Harlequin at the Ngong Racecourse.

With a place in the semi-finals against defending champions Kabras Sugar at stake, both teams are expected to throw everything into the fixture.

The excitement is not limited to the Kenya Cup alone, as the Championship playoffs also heat up with promotion to the top tier on the line.

Zetech Oaks will host JKUAT Cougars in a must-win encounter, while Catholic Monks face a tricky test against a resurgent Homeboyz side.

In the Kenya Cup Women’s playoffs, Northern Suburbs will face off against Impala, while NYS Ladies take on Rongo University. The winners will advance to the semi-finals, where Kenya Harlequins and Mwamba await.

Kabras RFC dominance in Enterprise Cup continued as they registered their fourth consecutive win over KCB Rugby in the competition with a 25-21 victory at Kakamega Showgrounds.

The Sugarmen, who last lost in the Enterprise Cup on April 28, 2018, to Impala in the semifinals, have now booked their fifth consecutive final in the tournament. This was the first semifinal meeting between the two sides, with Kabras having won the last three Enterprise Cup finals against KCB Rugby.

KCB took an early lead when Austin Sikutwa slotted in a penalty for a 3-0 advantage after Kabras conceded.

However, Kabras had the perfect response as Griffin Chao fielded a clearance from KCB and hit them on the counter to score. Ntabeni Dukisa converted for a 7-3 lead.

KCB stayed composed and patiently built up play, leading to a try by Andy Cole Omolo, which handed them an 8-7 lead after Sikutwa missed the conversion.

The Bankers continued piling pressure on Kabras, and a Levy Amunga drop goal pushed them to an 11-7 advantage.

Kabras hit back when Chao latched onto a kick by Dukisa and raced to score in the corner, reclaiming the lead at 12-11 after Dukisa missed the conversion attempt.

Eric Cantona extended the lead to 15-11 with a well-taken drop goal. Dukisa’s aerial kicks proved fruitful as Chao fielded one and offloaded to Walter Okoth for a corner try. This time, Dukisa converted, giving Kabras a 22-11 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the score remained unchanged until Sikutwa slotted in a penalty to close the gap to 22-14. Dukisa responded with three more points, making it 25-14. Kabras were then reduced to 14 men when Walter Okoth was sin-binned for an intentional tap.

Despite missing several opportunities to extend their lead, including kicks by Dukisa and Cantona, Kabras held firm.

Omolo dived over for KCB, and a successful conversion by Sikutwa brought the score to 25-21, increasing the pressure on the Sugarmen. However, Kabras held on to secure the win and book a place in the final.

In the other semifinal, Menengai Oilers stormed into their maiden Enterprise Cup final with a commanding 41-10 victory over Nondies RFC in a match played on Saturday, at the Nakuru Showgrounds.

Despite Nondies showing early intent, Oilers capitalized on a numerical advantage when Daniel Okito was sent off.

Fullback Tony Oketch, running a brilliant support line, dived over for the opening try, setting the tone for the home side.

Samuel Ovwamu extended the lead, brushing off two defenders to score under the posts for a 12-0 advantage.

Nelson Makokha’s 60-meter sprint after intercepting a pass made it 17-0 before Daniel Kipchirchir strolled in for Oilers’ fourth try.

Nondies finally got on the board when Sankara Wafula finished off a well-worked move to make it 22-5 at halftime.

The second half was all Oilers, with Alvin Khavolifinishing off a brilliant counterattack before Samuel Were muscled his way over for their sixth try.

Musonye’s late effort stretched the lead to 41-5, with Nondies grabbing a late consolation throughTony Fidens.

With this victory, Oilers now prepare for a massive final showdown against Kabras, slated for 19 April.

KCB head coach Oliver Mang’eni has set his sights on sweet revenge against Kabras in the upcoming Enterprise Cup semifinal on Saturday after his side fell short in their Kenya Cup showdown.

The bankers suffered a 25-17 defeat to their bitter rivals on Saturday at the Kakamega ASK Showground. This win extends their remarkable unbeaten streak to 39 matches in Kenya Cup and have now topped the league standings for six consecutive years.

Kabras finished top of the log with 52 points, with KCB hot on their heels at 50, while Menengai Oilers secured third place with 47 points. Despite the setback, Mang’eni remains confident his charges will bounce back stronger.

“It is time for us to go back to the drawing board and work on the areas we fell short. I am confident we will bounce back stronger and better,” Mang’eni said.

Reflecting on the Kenya Cup battle, the tactician admitted his side started well but let the game slip in the second half.

“The boys started the game well. In the first half, we put a lot of pressure on Kabras. However, in the second half, we made so many mistakes in our territory that cost us a win,” he said.

The game started at a blistering pace, with Kenyan international Kelvin Wekesa pouncing on a KCB handling error inside their 22 to score a brilliant try within the opening 10 minutes.

Kabras’ early 7-0 lead was short-lived as Austin Sikutwa responded with an emphatic try for KCB, leveling the scores after converting his effort.

Ntabeni Dukisa slotted two penalties after Tyson Maina was penalized, nudging Kabras ahead once more. But the bankers hit back through Griffin Musila and Sikutwa to hand KCB a narrow 14-13 lead.

Dukisa, showing his sharp kicking form, struck another penalty before Sikutwa returned the favor with a three-pointer of his own, giving KCB a 17-16 edge.

However, just before the break, Dukisa’s boot once again proved decisive, his penalty ensuring Kabras went into halftime with a 19-17 advantage. In the second half Dukisa converted three penalties for the victory.

KCB dominated possession in the second half but failed to capitalize on their attacking opportunities.

On the other hand, 1983 Kenya Cup champions Mwamba, dug deep to stun Blak Blad 29-15 but the win was not enough as they got relegated together with newcomers South Coast Pirates. Menengai Oilers thrashed Coast Pirates 35-0 to send the newbies back to the second division.

It is the first time Mwamba will compete in the second-tier of the Kenya Rugby Union Championship since its formation in 1977 having produced rugby greats such as World Rugby Sevens Series try top-scorer Collins Injera.

Reigning champions Kabras Sugar kept their dream of hosting the Kenya Cup final alive after a hard-fought 20-14 victory over arch-rivals Menengai Oilers in a tense Rai Derby encounter.

The Sugar Men rallied from 14-13 down at the break to tame inspired Oilers at the Nakuru Showground on Saturday.

While the win kept Kabras in the hunt, eight-time champions KCB upheld their league table leadership heading into the final round of matches next weekend after humiliating Impala 64-14 at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka on Friday.

The Bankers sit top on 50 points including 10 bonus points as four times champions Kabras trail KCB on two points in second after failing to register bonus points in their last two wins.

The two rugby giants will face off at the Kakamega Showground in an enticing clash to decide who finishes top in the regular season and gets to host the Kenya Cup final.

Unbeaten Kabras has hosted the Kenya Cup finals since the 2017/18 season.

Oilers, playing in front of their home fans, proved to be a formidable challenge.

The hosts started on the front foot, with Samwel Mwaura crossing over for an unconverted try to give Oilers a 5-0 lead. Timothy Omela then added a penalty to stretch the advantage to 8-0.

Kabras responded through South African playmaker Ntabeni Dukisa, who slotted in a penalty to cut the deficit to 8-5. The visitors then found their rhythm as Kenya Sevens scrum-half Brian Tanga, fresh from international duty at the Vancouver Sevens, made an instant impact with a brilliant try.

Dukisa added the extras, handing Kabras a 10-8 lead. However, Oilers hit back, with Omela reclaiming the lead through another penalty to make it 11-10 before stretching the gap further to 14-10 with his third successful kick.

Dukisa ensured Kabras stayed within touching distance by responding with a penalty just before halftime, leaving the visitors trailing by a single point at the break.

The second half saw Kabras take control, with their experience and composure proving crucial. It was Dukisa once again who delivered the decisive blow, crossing over for a crucial try before converting his own effort to give the sugar men a 20-14 lead.

Despite Oilers’ best efforts, Kabras held firm, defending resolutely to close out a crucial victory.

KCB head coach Oliver Mang’eni was pleased with his side’s dominant display but emphasized the need to remain focused for the bigger challenges ahead.

“For me, any game is won mentally and fitness wise. We have been struggling for some moment but there is a clear difference since my player are stronger, agile and faster now,” said Mang’eni.

Elsewhere, Nondies secured a 50-29 win over South Coast Pirates, while Nakuru edged Mwamba 32-27. Blak Blad prevailed 39-31 against Strathmore Leos, and Kenya Harlequin saw off Kisumu RFC 36-22.

The Rai derby between Menengai Oilers and Kabras Sugar is set to be the highlight of this weekend’s Kenya Cup action as the battle for a home semi-final and potential hosting rights for the final intensify.

With only two rounds left in the regular season, every point counts, and both sides will be eager to stake their claim as title contenders when they meet at the ASK Showground in Nakuru.

Menengai Oilers, currently third with 41 points, are looking to keep their chances of finishing in the top two alive. A win over the defending champions would put them in a strong position to secure a home semi-final, a crucial advantage in the knockout stage. However, Kabras Sugar, who have won all nine of their matches this season, are determined to maintain their unbeaten record.

Sitting just one point behind league leaders KCB with 44 points, they know that a win could see them reclaim the top spot, depending on the outcome of KCB’s match against Impala.

The clash between Oilers and Kabras has become one of the fiercest rivalries in recent Kenya Cup history.

Oilers will rely on their strong home form and the backing of their fans to push for a crucial victory, while Kabras, known for their dominance in set-pieces and expansive play, will be aiming to maintain their winning momentum as the play-offs approach.

League leaders KCB will be looking to tighten their grip at the top when they host Impala at The Den. With 45 points and an unbeaten record, the bankers are in pole position to secure home advantage for the final, provided they keep winning.

Their superior point difference of +360 has been key in keeping them ahead of Kabras, and they will be determined to maintain that advantage.

Impala, on the other hand, are seventh with 15 points and have little to play for in terms of play-off qualification, but they could still pose a challenge.

At the bottom of the table, Nakuru RFC and Mwamba are set for a crucial relegation battle at Nakuru Athletic Club. Nakuru, sitting 11th with nine points, are in a must-win situation if they are to avoid dropping to the second tier.

Mwamba, just one point ahead in 10th place, are also in danger and cannot afford to lose this encounter. The stakes could not be higher, as the loser of this match could find themselves facing relegation alongside South Coast Pirates, who are currently last with eight points.

South Coast Pirates face a tough away fixture against Nondies, who are fourth with 29 points and looking to strengthen their play-off position.

A loss for Pirates would all but confirm their relegation unless other results go their way. Kenya Harlequin, currently fifth with 27 points, take on Kisumu RFC, who are ninth with 12 points.

Quins will be aiming to secure their place in the play-offs, while Kisumu still have a slim chance of avoiding the drop.

Meanwhile, KU Blak Blad, sixth with 21 points, will host eighth-placed Strathmore Leos in a mid-table clash that could have minor implications on the final standings.

With the race for the play-offs and the battle for survival intensifying, this weekend’s fixtures are set to deliver thrilling action.

The Rai derby between Kabras and Oilers will set the tone for what promises to be a decisive round in the Kenya Cup season.

Kenya Lionesses start their quest for qualification to the World Sevens Series this weekend with the opening tournament at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.

Last season, Dennis Mwanja’s charges missed out on the top four final shoot-out in Madrid after finishing fifth and the coach admitted they have learnt their lessons from the event. Poland clinched the fourth slot and went on to the final shootout in Madrid.

The Lionesses had an intense three-month training phase coupled with playing build-up matches against Poland at the RFUEA Ground last month.

The team arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday and has acclimatized to the hot and sunny conditions in the mother city.

The Lionesses open their campaign against Samoa on Saturday at 12:38 pm and Mwanja expects a competitive contest from the Pacific Islanders.

“They are a very physical side. We have done our video analysis on them and there are areas we know we can capitalize on to enable us to win the match,” said Mwanja who doubles as the  KCB Rugby coach.

The Lionesses will then face Poland at 7:30pm in their second match. The two sides have met twice in the last 12 months with Poland beating the Lionesses 21-10 in Krakow in the final Challenger Sevens Series last year and Mwanja’s charges exacting revenge during the friendly build-up last month, which they won 19-12 at the RFUEA ground.

The tactician said he also expects a competitive contest against the European side: “We know each other very well and from the match we played recently, there are areas which I believe we can exploit and get a victory.”

Mwanja said the team needed to start the tournament well.

“There is no margin for error. It’s vital we accumulate as many points as possible this weekend to give us a good foundation for the remainder of the series,” he said.

Mwanja lauded the partnership the side has with MPESA, observing it will go a long way in benefitting the team.

“We are delighted with the sponsorship deal with Safaricom. It will help the players’ welfare and I believe the players can now concentrate on the task at hand to qualify for the World Series,” noted Mwanja.

The second leg of the Challenger Sevens Series will be held at the same venue on 7-8 March.

Following the second leg, the top-ranked eight men’s and women’s teams will progress to the third and final tournament at the Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow on 11-12 April.

The four men’s and women’s teams with the most cumulative points gained across the three Challenger rounds will then qualify for the HSBC Sevens Play-Off in Los Angeles on 3-4 May.