KCB's Festus Shiasi has been called up to the Kenya Sevens training squad ahead of the Africa Cup championships set for Harare, Zimbabwe, next month.
Shiasi, alongside 26 others, has been called up due to his exemplary performances in the ongoing National Sevens Series.
He was named the Christie Sevens MVP over the weekend as the bankers clinched their second title of the series, beating Strathmore Leos 17-12 in a thrilling final at the RFUEA ground.
Team manager Steve Sewe said the 35-man squad will be whittled down to 20 for the Africa Cup cum Olympic qualifier with a final 13-man team heading to Harare.
“We have picked a very competitive squad. The country has a lot of talented players in the version of the game and picking the final squad will not be easy. I believe the coaches will have some difficult decisions to make in the next two to three weeks,” said Sewe.
Sewe said the majority of the players have been training with the national team since July but with the Olympic qualifiers around the corner, they will have to step up the intensity.
“Time is not on our side. We have, at the minimum, three weeks to finalise our preparations and pick a strong squad not only for the Olympic qualifiers but also to take us back to the World Seven Series,” observed Sewe.
The former Mwamba player revealed that he is keen to restore the Shuja culture that has been lost over the years.
"Culture is crucial for any team sport. As the new technical bench, we are trying to get the ethos of the team and ensure we build on it, especially as far as the new players are concerned,” he added
Shujaa have been grouped in Pool 'B' alongside Zambia, Namibia, and Nigeria.
Pool 'A' features South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia and Ivory Coast with Pool C comprising of Uganda, hosts Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Algeria.
Shujaa provisional squad
Brian Tanga, Kevin Wekesa, William Mwanjii, Lamech Ambesta (Kabras Sugar), George Ooro, Barnabas Owuor, Brunson Madigu, Nigel Amaitsa, Victor Odhiambo (Leos), Austin Sikutwa, Vincent Onyala, Elvis Olukusi, Samuel Asati, Festus Shiasi (KCB), Samuel Ovwamu, Floyd Wabwire, Patrick Odongo (Daystar), Brian Mutugi, Stephen Sikuta, Ronnie Omondi, Tony Omondi, Daniel Taabu, Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), John Okoth, Beldad Ogeta, Steve Arunga, Dennis Abukuse (Oilers), Felix Makokha, Herman Humwa, Amon Wamalwa, Paul Mutsami, David Mwangi (Quins), Chrisant Ojwang (Nakuru), Fidens Tony (Nondescripts), Brian Mutua (Homeboyz)
