Wambua names Shujaa’s squad for Hong Kong Championship

Kenya Sevens head coach Kevin Wambua has unveiled the lineup set to represent the nation at the forthcoming Hong Kong Championship, a significant milestone in Shujaa’s push to regain a place in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

The selected squad largely retains the core group that featured in the previous two legs held in Montevideo and Sao Paulo, with just a single adjustment. Brian Tanga has been drafted in to take the place of Ojwang, signaling the technical bench’s continued trust in the team’s cohesion and stability.

Following the announcement on Friday, April 10, 2026, Wambua, fondly referred to as “Bling,” voiced his confidence in the players’ potential to perform on the global stage.

“This is just the first step in our journey back to the World Series. We have confidence in this group of players who have shown resilience, growth, and determination. Hong Kong presents another opportunity for us to build on our performances and move closer to our goal, it is part of our journey to go back to the main series” Kevin Wambua said.

On his part, former Kenya 7s player and Kenya 7s Director, Humphrey Kayange said: “We will be following and cheering you….go out and enjoy the game.”

The team now shifts focus to building momentum in one of the most prestigious and competitive tournaments on the sevens circuit, with the Hong Kong leg traditionally regarded as a key indicator of elite performance.

Shujaa squad for Hong Kong Championship:

George Ooro

Kevin Wekesa

Vincent Onyala

Denis Abukuse

Gabriel Ayimba

John Okoth

Samuel Asati

Nygel Amaitsa

David Nyangige

Brian Tanga

Festus Shiasi

Patrick Odongo

Floyd Wabwire

The Hong Kong Championship is set to feature top-tier international opponents, offering Shujaa a crucial platform to demonstrate their intent of making a return to the global stage.

Stage set

The highly anticipated tournament will kick off on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Kai Tak Sports Park, with Shujaa set to play their opening two pool matches on the same day. The fixtures are expected to test the squad’s depth and resilience as they look to make a strong start against top-tier international opposition.

The pool stage will conclude on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with Shujaa playing their final group match before the competition advances to the knockout rounds. With only the best-performing teams progressing, every match will carry significant weight in determining qualification for the quarter-finals.

Attention will then shift to Sunday, April 19, 2026, when the tournament reaches its decisive stages. The day will feature the playoffs, semi-finals, and ultimately the final, where the world champions will be crowned.

Shujaa head into the Hong Kong leg with hopes of making a deep run and reinforcing their status on the global rugby sevens stage after an impressive Sao Paulo outing in March.

Uphill task for Shujaa

Shujaa are placed in a demanding Pool C alongside top-tier opponents Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

This draw presents a significant challenge for the Kenyan side as they aim to perform strongly at one of the most prestigious stops on the international sevens circuit.

Elsewhere, Pool A consists of South Africa, Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay, forming a competitive lineup. Pool B will see Fiji, France, Great Britain, and Germany go head-to-head in what promises to be another exciting set of fixtures filled with fast-paced rugby action.