Oliech to debut in Kenya 7s

Head coach Benjamin Ayimba has stated time was overdue for former footballer, Sammy Oliech to make his long-awaited national sevens team debut after including the Impala RFC utility back in the travelling squad for the forthcoming Las Vegas and Vancouver legs of the HSBC World Series.

Oliech was to be part of the Africa Sevens Olympic qualifiers in Johannesburg in November last year and also the opening two legs of the World Series in Dubai and Cape Town but was held back by academic commitments.

Olympics qualifying hero, Dennis Ombachi who was grappling with injury also marked his return to the side after regaining fitness alongside Homeboyz RFC playmaker, Augustine Lugonzo and speedy Leonard Mugaisi.

“Oliech is a good player and for many years, he has been in the squad but has never got the chance to play. For now we think it is his time and see how he is going to help us. We have also incorporated the young players and have noted they are doing great. This was Oliech’s time to do so,” Ayimba said of Oliech who has impressed coaches and fans on the local circuit with calls to have him in the team finally fulfilled.

Ombachi who scored the winning try that saw Kenya edge out Zimbabwe to qualify for Rio will mark his first foray into the HSBC circuit after being injured in December.

“He has now resumed training and has really being working hard and we feel it is time for him to rejoin the squad,” Ayimba added.

Oliech trained with the squad last year but never got the chance to show case his skill.

When he was called up to the Kenya 15s he excelled at fullback and fly half positions, especially in the Test matches against Portugal and Spain and Africa Cup matches against Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Namibia.

He was later called up by former Sevens coach Mike Friday to the Samurai squad for the Safari Sevens tournament where the invitational side beat Shujaa 20-19 in the final at Kasarani with Oliech scoring two tries.

The players rested for this tour are Donald Aluoch, Nelson Oyoo, Eden Agero and Bush Mwale who is injured.

Kenya are in Pool A and will face New Zealand, Portugal and Russia. Kenya is currently eighth on the Sevens World Series log after four tournaments, on 42 points.

The team departs for Vegas on Sunday and returns on Thursday March 17 with Kenya lying eighth on the log with 42 points after the opening four rounds of Dubai, Cape Town, Wellington and Sydney.

Squad to Las Vegas and Vancouver

Andrew Amonde (KCB, Captain), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Oscar Ouma (Top Fry Nakuru), Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba), Augustine Lugonzo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Biko Adema (Nondescripts), William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Oscar Ayodi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Dennis Ombachi (Mwamba), Billy Odhiambo (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos), Leonard Mugaisi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Samuel Oliech (Resolution Impala Saracens) Non travelling reserves Eden Agero (Kenya Harlequin), Samuel Motari (Resolution Impala Saracens), Robert Aringo (Resolution Impala Saracens)

Management: Benjamin Ayimba (Head Coach), Paul Murunga (Assistant Coach), Geoffrey Kimani (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Lameck Bogonko (Physio), Newton Ong’alo (Team Manager)

Local Timings For Kenya’s Matches In Vegas

Saturday 5 March 2016

3.13am v Russia

6.14am v Portugal

10.54pm v New Zealand