Omondi has revealed why he is confident Shujaa can take 2024 by storm after qualifying for the Olympics with a young squad.
Kenya Sevens co-captain Tony Omondi is bullish about the side’s chances of doing well in the 2024 Olympic Games after securing qualification for the tournament with relative ease back in September.
Omondi, who was named captain alongside Vincent Onyala by new head coach Kevin Wambua was speaking ahead of Shujaa’s participation at the Safari Sevens tournament set to take place at the RFUEA Grounds this weekend.
The Mwamba player expressed optimism that the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup performance that saw the side qualify for their third Olympic tournament in a row would give them much-needed confidence ahead of the Challenger Series and the tournament itself, scheduled for next year.
11:48 - 10.11.2023
RUGBY Shujaa co-captain Tony Omondi on why Safari Sevens is ‘crucial’ for Challenger Series
Omondi has described the upcoming Safari Sevens as “crucial” in Shujaa’s quest to be ready for the Challenger Series and the Olympic games next season.
The side, which consisted of a core of young players, showed a lot of promise, and Omondi believes there is much more that the current group of Shujaa players can achieve.
“I mean, we worked for only five weeks before the Olympic qualifiers tournament,” Omondi told Pulse Sports.
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“If that is what we did in a span of five weeks, imagine what we can do within a span of even five months? So I believe them coming up to speed will be very crucial for us.”
16:00 - 10.11.2023
RUGBY Shujaa captain explains why Kenya 15s have traditionally struggled to match Sevens' standards
Vincent Onyala has detailed why South Africa have dominated African rugby in both categories, while Kenya have only seemed to do well in the Sevens version
Omondi has rallied his teammates to be psychologically prepared for the tasks ahead, admitting that, despite being a young captain himself, working together with his mates would only help the side as a whole.
“I would say we need each and every player psychologically to be ready and as young leaders -I would say we are young leaders because we have not been in this for long - It is a challenge and still a blessing.
“You get to prepare someone even if you do not have experience, so we are learning as well as we continue moving and developing.”
19:49 - 15.11.2023
RUGBY Kevin Wekesa reveals why completing his studies will help a huge deal in making Kenya Sevens do well in 2024
Wekesa admitted that it had been difficult to strike a balance between rugby and mechanical engineering studies, but given he has now completed them ahead of a year set to be monumental for his international career, it will help a great deal.
Shujaa will be looking to defend their Safari Sevens crown with a solid display this weekend, as the tournament has attracted some good teams including Germany, Morans, South Africa’s Western Province and reigning National Sevens Circuit champions KCB.