Shujaa stars Onyala, Madigu ready to dominate National Sevens Circuit.

RUGBY Shujaa stars Onyala, Madigu ready to dominate National Sevens Circuit.

Mark Kinyanjui 09:35 - 01.07.2023

The circuit will commence in Kisumu with the Dala Sevens taking place at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium on Saturday morning

Kenya Sevens stars stars Vincent Onyala and Brunson Madigu are optimistic that the 'gods of rugby' will help their respective clubs to the coveted National Sevens Circuit title as the tournament commences with Kisumu’s Dala Sevens on Saturday.

KCB’S Onyala, who is vice captain of the national team, has been out injured since last November, but hopes the circuit will give him a chance to regain his match sharpness for future commitments.

“After seven months of being out, Dala Sevens is my first leg. Hopefully, I will not be a bit rusty,” Onyala said.

The marauding winger has revealed that every team has a chance to win this year’s circuit, as all sides are practically in a rebuilding phase.

“It is a whole rebuilding phase for all rugby clubs in general. At KCB, we are rebuilding. The guys I played with two or three years ago are not with us anymore. It is a completely different team. The quicker we come together, the better chance we stand of winning the title.”

Strathmore Leos' Madigu, whose 2022 season in the circuit was stellar as he was named the most promising player in the first leg, the Kabeberi sevens before being named in the team of the tournament and subsequently a call up to the national team, says the his team is geared up and ready to win this year.

“We are geared up and ready. We have trained and we are confident about winning Dala sevens. Not just the leg, but the series at large because last season, our aim was to win the national circuit but we fell short due to some minor injuries for our key players.”

“Right now, we have everyone and the experience gained by both George Ooro and I will lead the team to glory.” 

This tournament, which is hosted by Kisumu RFC and has been played since 2003 with breaks between 2006-2008 due to logistical challenges, and again between 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

KCB are the most successful side, having won four titles, Mwamba and Homeboyz have three each with Kenya Harlequin and Nakuru on two twhile Impala Saracens, Strathmore Leos and the defunct military side Ulinzi each have one each to their name.

Meanwhile, the tournament organisers have confirmed ticket prices for the event with VIP tickets retailing at Ksh1,000 per day while regular tickets are Ksh500 per day and are available online from Tiko Hub, www.tikohub.co.ke