Shujaa keen to make home advantage, fanbase count

Kenya Sevens utility back Vincent Onyala believes Shujaa have the ingredients to dominate the HSBC Sevens II tournament set for February 14–15 at Nyayo Stadium, citing home advantage and a vibrant fanbase as key.

Onyala made the remarks at the Uhuru Park on Thursday when SportPesa unveiled a Sh120 million multi-sport sponsorship targeting boxing, motorsports and rugby.

Onyala said the team is embracing the opportunity to play in front of Kenyan fans, describing the prospect of a home tournament as a major motivation rather than a source of pressure.

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“We are looking forward to hosting the HSBC Sevens II at home and we are ready to make it worth everyone’s while,” Onyala said. “Playing at home is not a big challenge for us. We are rallying behind the home advantage and drawing energy from our fans.”

Onyala revealed that preparations have intensified, with the players putting in long hours in training as they seek to fine-tune their game ahead of the highly competitive tournament. The team, he said, understands the demands of the Sevens Series format and is focused on consistency across the two-day event.

“The boys have been working very hard. They wake up early and train every day. This tournament is not a sprint—it’s a marathon,” he said. “With only six teams, you have to be sharp from the first game. The goal is to win all our matches and give ourselves a chance to finish in the top four.”

A strong performance at Nyayo, Onyala explained, would be key to Kenya’s broader ambitions of qualifying for the HSBC Sevens Series and maintaining a place among the core teams next season.

The experienced former Shujaa co-captain highlighted the role of senior players in guiding younger squad members as the team continues to rebuild and inject new talent.

“Experience comes with maturity,” Onyala said. “The younger players are building their skills, but it’s important to guide them, especially in high-pressure moments. That balance will be important going into the tournament.”

He said the Kenyan fanbase is a critical factor at Nyayo Stadium, noting that the team’s expressive style of play resonates strongly with supporters.

“Wherever we play, there is always a ‘Kenya corner’ that takes over the stadium,” he said. “Fans enjoy how we play—the celebrations, the freedom, the fun. That connection with the crowd gives us an extra lift.”

SportPesa’s investment aims at strengthening local sporting ecosystems while creating structured opportunities for Kenyan athletes at both grassroots and elite levels.

Speaking during the launch, SportPesa Chief Commercial Officer Jason Gibson said, “Kenya has exceptional talent, but talent alone is not enough. Sustainable success requires investment, structure and belief.”

Under the programme, Sh40 million has been allocated to the newly launched SportPesa Boxing – Rising Stars, an initiative designed to revive Kenya’s continental boxing competitiveness through improved talent pathways.

Another Sh 40 million will support the HSBC SVNS2 rugby tournament, while the remaining Sh40 million has been directed to motorsports, extending support to six-time national rally champion Leonardo Varese and his son under the SportPesa Tujiamini programme ahead of the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya.