Kenya’s national sevens teams, the Lionesses and Shujaa, are gearing up for crucial second and third rounds of the HSBC SVNS 2 in Montevideo and São Paulo as they chase promotion to the top-tier HSBC SVNS 1 next season.
The Montevideo leg, set for March 21–22 in Montevideo, will be followed by the São Paulo round on March 28–29 in São Paulo. Both tournaments present key opportunities for the Kenyan sides to build momentum after the opening leg held in Nairobi
The Kenya Lionesses have named a 13-player squad featuring the return of Faith Livoi and Christabel Lindo, who missed the Nairobi leg. Captain Sheila Chajira leads the team alongside Naomi Amuguni, Charity Nillah, Stellah Wafula, Edith Nariaka, Judith Auma, Sinaida Mokaya, Moreen Muritu, Janet Okello, Freshia Oduor, and Marvel Oswago.
“We are grateful for our fans’ incredible support in Nairobi. Our focus now shifts to Uruguay and Brazil, where we aim to win our matches and secure qualification for Division One,” said Chajira, while also acknowledging support from Safaricom through its M-PESA platform.
Shujaa, Kenya’s men’s sevens team, has named a 14-man squad that includes key players such as George Ooro, Samuel Asati, Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa, and Nygel Amaitsa.
Dennis Abukuse, John Okoth, Kevin Wambua, and Patrick Odongo also make the squad, with Brian Tanga returning from a long injury layoff and Gabriel Ayimba earning his maiden call-up. Other players include Chrisant Ojwang, Festus Shiasi, Floyd Wabwire, and David Nyangige.
During the opening leg at Nyayo National Stadium, Shujaa finished third behind the United States and Germany, while the Lionesses secured a fifth-place finish.
Peter Ndegwa praised both teams’ resilience, noting that ongoing support through the partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union allows players to focus fully on performance.
“Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses have once again shown the grit, discipline, and fighting spirit that define Kenyan rugby. We wish them the very best as they head to Uruguay and Brazil,” he said.
Under a two-year partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union, M-PESA provides the teams with monthly allowances, comprehensive medical insurance, airtime, and financial literacy programmes.
The HSBC SVNS 2 series forms part of the global HSBC SVNS circuit, showcasing high-intensity rugby sevens competition as teams vie for promotion to the elite tier.