Morans out to end podium drought at Africa Sevens Championships

Kenya Sevens Victor Mola passes a ball in a training session/HANDOUT 

Kenya Morans will be among the 12 teams competing at the Africa Men’s Sevens Championship scheduled for June 20-21 in Cascavelle, Mauritius, with the team targeting a return to the podium after two disappointing campaigns.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Director of Sevens Humphrey Kayange said Kenya will continue with its tradition of fielding Morans as a developmental side to expose emerging players to top-level continental competition.

“This is an opportunity for the players, especially the fringe players, to perform and do the country proud against some of the top teams on the continent,” said Kayange.

The former Kenya Sevens captain expects a stronger performance from the side after failing to secure a podium finish in the last two editions of the tournament. “I believe the boys who have played for the last two years will get over the line and win the championship,” he said.

Kayange added that the tournament provides a vital pathway for players aspiring to break into the senior national sevens team, Shujaa. “The more our young players get exposed to such championships, the more valuable it will be as they progress to play for Shujaa in the future,” he noted.

He also anticipates a fiercely contested tournament, citing the rise of Madagascar and the overall growth of sevens rugby across Africa. “The sevens game across the continent has grown in leaps and bounds, and that is good for the development of the sport in Africa,” said Kayange.

Morans have been drawn in Pool C alongside Zimbabwe, Morocco and Burkina Faso. Defending champions South Africa headline Pool A, where they will face Zambia, Nigeria and hosts Mauritius.

Pool B pits last year’s runners-up Madagascar against Uganda, Ghana and Tunisia. The championship, which forms part of celebrations marking 40 years of Rugby Africa, will bring together some of the continent’s leading sevens nations.

At last year’s tournament, Morans enjoyed an impressive run in the group stages, beating Ivory Coast 38-0, Ghana 33-0, Uganda 12-5 and Nigeria 43-12. However, their title hopes were dashed by a narrow 14-12 semifinal defeat to Madagascar before they lost 21-19 to Zimbabwe in the bronze-medal match. This will be the third consecutive year that Mauritius hosts the continental showpiece.