Shujaa return from South America with renewed fire, eyes on Hong Kong SVNS
Shujaa co captain Samuel Asati in action against Uruguay during their HSBC 7s Division 2 match at the Nyayo National Stadium on February 15, 2026. Photo by Oliver Ananda/ SportPicha.com
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Kenya’s national men’s sevens team, Shujaa, touched down back home on Thursday morning after a successful campaign in South America, having finished second overall in the HSBC SVNS II teams for the 2026/27 season.
The team finished an impressive 3rd in the first two legs in Kenya and Uruguay, before capping their SVNS 2 campaign with a superb runner-up finish in São Paulo behind only the USA.
That strong showing was enough to earn them a slot in the last level of fighting for a slot in the world’s elite after being relegated at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Co-captain Samuel Asati was in high spirits upon arrival, celebrating the milestone while quickly shifting focus to the next challenge.
"Goal one achieved, qualified back to the championship. Now we go back to focus on the rest and the next assignment which is Hong Kong," Asati said.
He added that the squad is already analysing areas that cost them in South America.
"We are working on things that let us down at Uruguay and Sao Paulo and then we focus on our opponents and our game structure more."
Head coach Kevin Wambua struck a determined tone, acknowledging the jump in level that awaits in Hong Kong.
"Now we are heading to Hong Kong, we all know it’s on another level. We have to step up a notch higher, and we are willing and ready to do the work next week in camp," Wambua said.
"We know we have to step up in terms of our non-negotiables and also individually and collectively we need to step up a notch higher because where we are going it’s not going to be easy. But we have the talent, we’ve done it before and I’m pretty sure we can do it again."
Shujaa have been drawn in a tough Group C for the Hong Kong SVNS, where they will face heavyweights Australia, New Zealand, and USA.
The team now heads into a training camp to sharpen their game ahead of what promises to be a stern test against some of the best sides in world rugby.
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