Shujaa seek redemption in Vancouver as relegation looms

Kenya’s sevens national team, Shujaa, will have to be in perfect competing shape when they face Fiji in the Vancouver sevens tournament scheduled for this weekend.

The last time both teams met was during the just concluded Los Angeles assignment where Damian McGrath lost 19-5 despite going up 5-0 just before the intervals through returning Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno.

Shujaa will be hopeful they tick the right boxes against Fiji to boost their morale heading to the England fixture in a Group C tie that will take place at 04:54 EAT.

The embattled youthful side which has failed to qualify for the cup quarter-finals will wrap up their pool campaign against relegation rivals Uruguay at 11:20 EAT on Saturday morning.

The McGrath-coached side must ensure positive results to avoid being relegated when the season comes to an end.

Shujaa currently finds themselves in thirteen places on the standings, which is one of the three relegation playoff zones, after a dismal showing in the Los Angeles 7s where they finished in last place.

Soon after the dismal performance in the Los Angeles tour, tactician McGrath was hopeful his side’s fortunes will change heading to the Vancouver tour adding only the crucial areas that have been not going the right way, but the boys will surely change.

“Our luck will change because the performances are very good just that the crucial things are not going our way. It is a strange thing to say when you finish bottom of the pile, but our performances reflect a much better game,” McGrath said.

Shujaa have a chance of redeeming themselves this weekend as the Vancouver 7s takes place from 3-5 March.

Vancouver 7s Pools

Group A – New Zealand, Samoa, Spain, USA

Group B – Argentina, South Africa, France, Japan

Group C – Fiji, Great Britain, Kenya, Uruguay

Group D – Australia, Ireland, Canada, Chile