Africa-Press – Kenya. After a turbulent week, Shujaa will be seeking to put their woes behind them when the Dubai Sevens kicks off today in the United Arab Emirates. Revelations by senior players William Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo over non-payment of salaries and allowances for the last three months on social media have rocked Kenyan rugby to the core.
It took the intervention of the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to have their allowances paid after the hue and cry from fans. Shujaa begin their campaign against Hong Kong Sevens winners Australia at 10:56 am.
Kenya and Australia clashed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July with Australia narrowly winning 7-5 in the Cup quarterfinal. The Aussies have dominated this fixture in the recent past, winning 40-14 in Los Angeles in August as well as a humiliating 42-0 defeat in Seville in January.
The team arrived in Dubai on Monday with head coach Damian McGrath admitting that the off-field distractions over lack of pay have not been ideal. ” It’s not usually the right environment to prepare for this magnitude of the series but credit to the boys who have trained well this week. They have worked hard and want to do the country proud,” he added.
Shujaa face South Africa in their second match at 2:20 pm. The side known as the Blitzbooke have won the past four meetings between the two teams. South Africa beat Shujaa 26-5 in Singapore in April; 24-21 in London in May; 31-19 in Dubai in November last year and 33-7 in Vancouver in September last year.
Kenya’s final match will be against Great Britain at 7:18 pm with the British winning the last two encounters 33-5 in Dubai and 10-5 both in Dubai last year.
Kenya had a poor start in the tournament opener in Hong Kong last month, losing all their matches. Skipper Nelson Oyoo is hoping the side will be competitive this weekend.
“We did not play well in Hong Kong due to factors beyond our control but I am glad things are being handled and we promise to do our best,” added Oyoo. After the Dubai tournament, Shujaa head for the Cape Town Sevens in South Africa next weekend.
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