Ouma, Tanga axed from Kenya 7s squad to USA, Canada

Kenya sevens Head Coach Innocent Simiyu has dropped Oscar Ouma and Brian Tanga from the squad that will tour the fifth and sixth legs of the 2016/17 HSBC World Series in Las Vegas and Vancouver.

Frank Wanyama and Oscar Ayodi are back in the team as Simiyu who was rocked by the resignation of Strength and Fitness Coach Ian Gibbons continues to tinker with the team in a bid to get a balanced squad.

After an indifferent start to the season, Kenya are lying 11th with 27 points as the team struggles to replicate their form last season.

“Oscar and Frank have responded well to training and make the final cut.  We are in an exciting pool in Vegas and look forward to qualifying and challenging for the cup,” Simiyu said.

Captain Andrew Amonde alongside his assistant Collins Injera leads the team which includes Willy Ambaka , Dan Sikuta , Frank Wanyama , Bush Mwale , Sammy Oliech ,Eden Agero, Leonard Mugaisi ,Augustine Lugonzo , Nelson Oyoo  and Billy Odhiambo.

Simiyu pointed out that hiring a new strength and fitness coach was not yet on their priorities list.

“For us is not a priority this year because of budgetary constraints, so we’ll either get a development coach or an analyst.

“Most of the work of the essence is done during the pre season and that’s the time there is the most interaction with the players, when you are in the season most of their work is the management, so for us we have put measures to ensure players are managed well during the season,” he offered.

Simiyu believes that hiring another coach will come next season during their pre-season set to start on July 1.

He has been under pressure after an indifferent start of the season that has seen Kenya positioned 11th with 27 points as the team continues struggling to replicate last season’s form.

But the former Shujaa player is adamant their struggles are only a phase that they will soon get out of.

“We have to get it right this season, this is our foundation year for us and we have a plan leading us to 2020 in Tokyo Olympics.”

Kenya is in pool c in the Las Vegas 7’s alongside New Zealand, Argentina and Russia.

SHUJAA SQUAD

Andrew Amonde (KCB, Captain), Willy Ambaka (SportPesa Quins), Dan Sikuta (Kabras Sugar), Frank Wanyama (SportPesa Quins), Bush Mwale (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Sammy Oliech (Resolution Impala Saracens), Eden Agero (SportPesa Quins), Leonard Mugaisi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Augustine Lugonzo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru), Oscar Ayodi,(Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), Collins Injera (Mwamba).