Circuit champions KCB eye perfect start at Christie Sevens

National Sevens Circuit defending champions KCB RFC have set their eyes on retaining their title as the Sevens season kicks off with Christie Sevens this weekend at the RFUEA grounds, Nairobi. 

The bankers, who are also the Christie 7s defending champions, will be hoping to start the season on a high as they aim to defend the crown.

KCB RFC’s 7s Captain Levy Amunga says despite the team’s preparations being hampered by the ongoing national protests, the technical bench has put the right measures in place and are ready to rock and roll this weekend.

“In terms of preparations, we are still maintaining the focus that we had last year that helped us win the overall series, although we have had some of our training days disrupted by the ongoing protests,” said Amunga.

“But we are able to adjust to train on the days we find free. The coach is coming up with new tactics that try to resemble what is being played in the HSBC World series, to make us more competitive and be able to be better than our opponents,” he added.

Amunga says the team has been boosted by new signings who arrived at the Lion’s Den after the closure of the transfer window.

He says the new contingent of players have been bonding and training with the rest of the squad in readiness for the national sevens circuit.

“In terms of change in personnel we have a few new players that have joined us; I won't mention names because I don’t know whether they have fully been incorporated into our system, but we have new players that are training with us from different clubs such as Menengai Oilers, Kenya Harlequins and Daystar Falcons.”

However, the bankers will be without star players, Vincent Onyala and Samuel Asati, who are on duty with the national side, Shujaa, in the Paris Olympic Games that will commence on July 26, 2024, but Amunga says they still have the depth to conquer. 

“It’s not going to be a big effect given the fact that last year towards the end, in our final two tournaments, they were already engaged with the national team. Actually, last year there were five of them, this year it's only three. We are grateful, we congratulate the three who made the cut to go and we wish them all the best as they represent the country in Paris Olympic games in France,” said Amunga.

Reigning circuit champions KCB RFC are in Pool A alongside Nondescript, Impala and Homeboyz.

The Kenya Cup champions Kabras are in Pool B with Nakuru RFC, Kisumu RFC and Catholic Monks while the 2022 circuit champions Menengai Oilers are in Pool D alongside last year’s circuit fifth-place finishers Mwamba, Masinde Muliro and promoted side University of Eldoret.

The circuit will consist of six legs to be played across six cities and towns in Kenya over a period of three months.