Kenya Sevens head coach Paul Feeney made five changes to the squad that will play in the North American leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Former Shujaa captain Oscar Ouma, Sammy Oliech, Jacob Ojee, Daniel Sikuta and Oscar Dennis have been drafted into the side for the legs in Los Angeles, USA, and Vancouver, Canada.
Ouma and Oliech have not played for Shujaa since the 2017/2018 season while Ojee, Sikuta and Dennis did not play in the Oceania legs in Hamilton and Sydney. The trio did not feature either due to injury or squad rotation.
Bush Mwale, Geoffrey Okwach, Herman Humwa, Johnstone Olindi and Nelson Oyoo have been omitted from the squad to North America.
Feeney said the changes to the squad were exciting and offered other players an opportunity to perform.
“Plenty of changes but lots of old heads coming in with the changes and we still have a few of the young boys in there. We’re looking forward to this leg…it should be very interesting,” Feeney said.
Ouma expressed his delight at making a return to the team and getting another chance to represent his country.
“When it comes to the team’s performance it can always improve, the team is in a good place with both the experienced and the upcoming players blending well, it’s just taking it up a notch higher and firing from all cylinders,” he said.
Kenya, currently 11th in the HSBC standings, was drawn in Pool B of the Los Angeles Sevens alongside South Africa, Series newcomers Ireland and Canada. All the other three sides are currently ranked above Kenya.
The Los Angeles Sevens is scheduled to take place from February 29 to March 1 while the Vancouver Sevens will take place from March 7 to 8.
