The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) on Friday, October 31, 2025, confirmed that the Kenya Morans, the country's second-string national sevens team, will compete in the Zambezi Challenge 7s in Harare, Zimbabwe. The tournament, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, 2025, presents a vital platform for developing players to test their skills on an international stage.

The Morans enter the competition with confidence following a commendable performance at the 2025 Safari Sevens, held from October 10 to 12 at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium, where they secured a third-place finish. Their performance on home soil included two impressive victories over Zimbabwe, a key opponent they are likely to face again in Harare. The Kenyan side first defeated the Zimbabweans 27-7 in the group stages before securing the bronze medal with a decisive 19-0 win in the third-place playoff.

Development and Exposure the Key Objectives

Kenya 7s Head Coach Kevin Wambua, speaking ahead of the tournament, emphasized that the primary goal is player development and building on the foundations laid during the Safari Sevens. "We are building from the Safari 7s, and the preparations have been good," Wambua stated on Friday, October 31, 2025. "The priority over the last two weeks has been based on performance from Safari 7s and how we can build from it. The objective is to give them confidence in their abilities and a little bit of tactical and technical upskill. The tournament is more about the team than an individual player."

This will be the Morans' third competitive outing of the season, having also finished fourth at the Africa Men's 7s. The tournament in Harare offers another opportunity to expose emerging talent to the high-pressure environment of international rugby, a crucial step in nurturing the next generation of stars for the senior Shujaa squad.

Regional Rivalry and Competition

The Zambezi Challenge 7s is expected to feature strong regional competition. Besides the Kenya Morans, the tournament will include hosts Zimbabwe, who are anticipated to field both a primary and a secondary side, Zambia, Botswana, and several South African franchise teams. This lineup ensures a challenging series of matches that will test the Morans' tactical discipline and resilience away from home.

While the KRU has confirmed the team's participation and departure for Harare in the week of the tournament, the official traveling squad had not been named as of Saturday, November 1, 2025. The squad is expected to be announced in the coming days. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

The Morans' squad for the recent Safari Sevens, captained by John Okoth of Menengai Oilers, featured a blend of experience and youth, including seven debutants such as Rayvon Ambale of Kabras Sugar and Victor Mola of Strathmore Leos. Many of these players were selected from a 48-man provisional squad named in September 2025, following standout performances in the National Sevens Circuit, and will be eager for another chance to impress.

Building a Winning Culture

The participation of the Morans in tournaments like the Zambezi Challenge is a strategic initiative by the KRU to create a robust talent pipeline for Kenyan rugby. By providing consistent, high-level competition for the developmental side, the union aims to ensure a seamless transition for players graduating to the senior Shujaa team, which competes on the global stage.

The recent victories against Zimbabwe will provide a psychological boost, but the team will be aware that playing in Harare presents a different challenge. Success in this tournament would not only be a significant achievement for the Morans but would also underscore the depth of talent in Kenyan rugby as the nation continues to build towards future international success. The team is expected to depart for Zimbabwe on Thursday, November 6, 2025.