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Former Kenya U20 forward to captain Menengai Oilers in Sevens

Former Kenya U20 forward to captain Menengai Oilers in Sevens
Menengai Oilers receiving the 2022 Prinsloo 7s Trophy. PHOTO/Betsafe Kenya/Facebook

National 7s Circuit defending Champions Menengai Oilers have announced their captain ahead of the new campaign which started with Dala 7s at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu.

The club on Friday announced that Barthes Cup winner with Kenya U20 Tyson Maina will be the captain as they start their title defence in Kisumu.

Menengai Oilers 7s debutants

The club also confirmed the squad for duty with Davis Otundo and Herbert Ochieng who were signed last year set to make their Sevens debut.

“Davis Otundo and Herbert Ochieng are set to carry their good form from 15s to 7s when they make their 7s debuts while we have a new 7s Captain in the form of former Kenya U20 International Tyson Maina,” the club announced.

Menengai Oilers in a past Enterprise Cup match. PHOTO/Menengai Oilers/Facebook.
Menengai Oilers in a past Enterprise Cup match. PHOTO/Menengai Oilers/Facebook.

Speaking on his appointment, Maina said he is learning on the job and has been able to improve his leadership skills in the preseason.

“It is my first time leading the team as the captain, it’s a new challenge and a new experience but I am already learning on the job. Pre-season presented me with a few opportunities to advance my leadership skills and I am ready to lead the boys out for the circuit,” he told the club’s media.

“Preparations have been good seeing as we have had a good five weeks of training before Embu 7s and around three weeks after the tournament. Our coaches have really done a good job getting us into shape and ensuring that we are prepared for the circuit,” he added.

Menengai Oilers keen to start well

According to Maina, as they defending Champions they are keen to start off well.

“We are the defending champions and this presents us with a challenge that the boys are very ready to face head-on. At the moment, our main and only focus is to do well in Kisumu. It is the first leg and we want to start well.

“Kisumu is always a vibe, and having played at the stadium (Jomo Kenyatta Intl Stadium) in 2022, I can say it is always exciting to play in Dala,” he concluded.

MenengaI Oilers squad for Dala 7s. PHOTO/Menengai Oilers/Facebook
MenengaI Oilers squad for Dala 7s. PHOTO/Menengai Oilers/Facebook

In the squad that will be heading to Dala, coach Gibson Weru has named Kenyan Internationals Denis Abukuse and John Okoth who were part of the 2023 World 7s Series. Okoth has also featured for Kenya Simbas.

Other players that have represented the Simbas in Oiler’s squad for Dala include Chripsin Shitundo, Clinton Odhiambo, Geoffrey Ominde and Beldad Ogeta.

Dala Sevens

Pool A: Menenegai Oilers, Nakuru, Nondescripts, Catholic Monks

Pool B: KCB, Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro, Mombasa

Pool C: Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons, Kisumu

Pool D: Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, Makueni

Dala 7s Order of play

1 0920 Menengai Oilers v Nondescripts
2 0940 Nakuru v Catholic Monks
3 1000 KCB v Masinde Muliro
4 1020 Kenya Harlequin v Mombasa
5 1040 Strathmore Leos v Daystar Falcons
6 1100 Kabras Sugar v Kisumu
7 1120 Hómeboyz v Western Bulls
8 1140 Mwamba v Makueni
9 1210 Menengai Oilers v Catholic Monks
10 1230 Nakuru v Nondescripts
11 1250 KCB v Mombasa
12 1310 Kenya Harlequin v Masinde Muliro
13 1330 Strathmore Leos v Kisumu
14 1350 Kabras Sugar v Daystar Falcons
15 1410 Homeboyz v Makueni
16 1430 Mwamba v Western Bulls
17 1500 Nondescripts v Catholic Monks
18 1520 Masinde Muliro v Mombasa
19 1540 Daystar Falcons v Kisumu
20 1600 Western Bulls v Makueni
21 1620 Menengai Oilers v Nakuru
22 1640 KCB v Kenya Harlequin
23 1700 Strathmore Leos v Kabras Sugar
24 1720 Homeboyz v Mwamba

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