Shujaa to 'fight like lions' in Madrid, says Odongo

Kenya Sevens winger Patrick Odongo has vowed to do everything humanly possible to help Shujaa make an instant return to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series next season.

Shujaa return to action on Friday in the World Rugby Series promotion playoffs in Madrid in a make-or-break moment as the Kenyans bid to return to core status by Sunday evening.

Odongo, who topped the scoring charts in the opening challenger series leg in Dubai, said the team was charged and ready to roar at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, and will fight ‘like lions’ to return to the topflight.

“Madrid is a bit sunny but the mood in the camp has been good, we have been training well right from Miramas, France and also here in Madrid. All I can say is we are prepared and ready for action and the weather is not very favorable but we will push on to achieve our target.”

Shujaa are in Pool B alongside hosts Spain, Samoa and Chile and will need a flawless performance in the group stages to punch their ticket to the quarter final.

Odongo says it is a daunting task ahead for the team but the boys will fight tooth and nail to return Kenya back to the top league next season.

“It won’t be easy but we know what we came for here in Madrid and I know our efforts and the way we have prepared; preparations have been good and I know we will get where we want. We must return Kenya back to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.”

The Kevin Wambua led side will begin their campaign by taking on Samoa at 6.25pm on Friday and later play hosts Spain at 10.18pm. They will then finish off their pool matches with a game against Chile on Saturday at 8.18pm.

Kenya will need to win at least two pool matches to guarantee a spot in the quarter finals.

Their quarter final match will be a do or die encounter with a win automatically handing back the team their top flight ticket.

Kenya saw their 19-year participation in the league ended last season as they suffered relegation owing to a change of format of the league.

The promotion-relegation play offs in Madrid will feature four teams who finished in the top four in the Challenger series and another four who finished ninth and 12th in the World Series.

The top four from the shootout will automatically be promoted back to the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series.