Kenya Rugby Union Technical Director Paul Feeney leads Kenua Sevens players in training. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – Kenya’s second-string side the Morans will get the 2019 Safari Sevens underway when they start their campaign against neighbors Uganda in the opening match on Saturday at the RFUEA Grounds.
However, the Moran’s will find tough oppositions as they headline Pool A where they will lock horns with South Africa and Burundi.
In contrast, Kenya’s main team the Shujaa have landed a relatively easy Pool as they were drawn in Group C alongside Blue Bulls from South Africa, Russia Academy and Zambia.
Kenya’s Collins Injera during training ahed of the Safari 7s. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Defending champions Samurai lead Pool D and they are set to take on South Africa’s Western Province, Narvskaya Zastava and the Red Wailers from the United Kingdom.
Pool D has regular contenders Spain, Zimbabwe, Seventise and Kenya’s National Sevens Series winners KCB RFC.
Tournament Director Godwin Karuga while announcing the draw on Wednesday at the event venue, called on Kenyans to turn up in large numbers and rally their support behind the home teams.
“The games kick off on Saturday at 9am where the Morans will get the tournament underway against Uganda, it’s quite an exciting prospect to start the tournament. We are asking Kenyans to come early to support the Morans, I thank the fans who will be coming because without them the tournament will not be the same,” Karuga underscored.
Safari 7s Tournament Director Godwin Karuga while announcing the draw at the RFUEA Ground. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
On security Karuga said, “The tournament is back at the RFUEA Ground the home of rugby we really pride in having the tournament here because the fans are next to the players and the intensity of the game is very clear to everybody so come all come all.”
“We have worked very closely with all the government units and Nairobi county to ensure we have a safe tournament; we are not taking it lightly since we have got a number of international teams,” Karuga assured.
Kenya Rugby Union boss Oduor Gangla said they are ready to host a successful tourney especially after seeing the Africa Sevens premier tournament lose it ground in the past three years.
“Its high time we wrestled back the tittle, so we are hoping to see a very strong performance from the Kenyan teams. Let’s all came and support Shujaa, Morans and KCB,” Gangla pleaded.
Both the Shujaa and Moran’s teams will be named on Thursday.
POOLS
Pool A; South Africa, Uganda, Moran’s, Burundi
Pool B; Samurai, Western Province, Narvskaya Zastava
Pool C; Shujaa, Blue Bulls, Russia Academy, Zambia
Pool D; Spain, Zimbabwe, Seventise, KCB RFC
