National Teams Confident Ahead of Home Tournament

Kenya's national men's rugby sevens team, Shujaa, and their women's counterparts, the Lionesses, have expressed strong confidence in their ability to win the 2025 Safari Sevens titles. The prestigious tournament is set to take place from October 10 to 12, 2025, at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, marking its return to the capital after being held in Machakos in 2024.

Shujaa enters the competition as the defending champions, having secured a 12-0 victory over Shogun Rugby in the 2024 final held at Machakos Stadium. The Lionesses, however, will be seeking to reclaim the women's title after falling to Spain's Costa Blanca Barbarians with a 24-10 score in last year's final.

Preparations and Squad Dynamics

Shujaa captain Samuel Asati conveyed the team's readiness, stating, “I believe the boys are well prepared and raring to go.” He highlighted the integration of new talent from the National Sevens Circuit as a significant boost for both Shujaa and the Morans, Kenya's second men's national team. Head coach Kevin Wambua is working with a provisional squad of 48 players, combining experienced circuit performers with emerging stars from the feeder system. Asati, alongside George Ooro, was named co-captain of Shujaa for the 2024/2025 HSBC World Sevens Series.

For the Lionesses, Sheila Chajira is expected to co-captain the team. Grace Okulu has also been identified as a captain for the Lionesses in the 2025 HSBC Challenger Series. The Lionesses' squad for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup included key regulars such as Knight Otwoma, Phoebe Akinyi, Maureen Chebet, Naomi Jelegat, and captain Enid Ouma, alongside backline players like Grace Okulu, Diana Awino, Freshia Awino, Christabel Lindo, Faith Livoi, Moreen Muritu, Stella Wafula, and Sinaida Mokaya. Freshia Oduor and Faith Livoi have also shown strong form, having contributed to a 63-19 victory against Madagascar in a test match.

Tournament Context and Significance

The 2025 Safari Sevens marks the 27th edition of the tournament, which has been a prominent fixture in African rugby since its inception in 1996. This year's event will feature 20 teams, comprising 12 men's and 8 women's sides. Confirmed men's teams include Shujaa, Morans, Apache, French Renegades, ReUnion (French Colony), UK Select, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Shogun, and KCB Rugby. In the women's category, the Kenya Lionesses will compete against teams such as the Cubs, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Shogun, Belgium, and the defending champions, Costa Blanca Barbarians.

The tournament's return to Nyayo National Stadium is notable, as the venue last hosted the event in 2021 when Shujaa defeated Germany in the final. The Safari Sevens provides a crucial platform for both national teams to prepare for upcoming international competitions, including the World Rugby Sevens season and the African Cup in November for the women's team.

Stakeholder Support

The 2025 Safari Sevens has received a significant boost with a KSh 22 million sponsorship from Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) through its Tusker brand. This partnership, which dates back to the 1990s, underscores KBL's long-standing commitment to rugby development in Kenya. Tusker will serve as the official alcoholic beverage and entertainment partner, enhancing the festival atmosphere with live music and fan zones.

Evidence/Data

• Tournament Dates: October 10-12, 2025
• Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
• Shujaa 2024 Result: Defeated Shogun Rugby 12-0 in the final
• Lionesses 2024 Result: Lost 24-10 to Costa Blanca Barbarians in the final
• Total Participating Teams (2025): 20 (12 men's, 8 women's)
• Sponsorship: KSh 22 million from Tusker (KBL)
• Shujaa Co-Captains (2024/2025 HSBC World Sevens Series): Samuel Asati and George Ooro
• Lionesses Captains (various): Sheila Chajira, Grace Okulu, Enid Ouma

Risks/Implications

The performance of both Shujaa and the Lionesses at the Safari Sevens will be closely watched as an indicator of their readiness for the upcoming international rugby sevens season. A strong showing could build momentum and confidence, while a weaker performance might highlight areas needing further development ahead of more significant global challenges.

What to Watch

Attention will be on the integration of new talent into both national squads and how they perform under pressure. The Lionesses' quest for redemption against the defending champions, Costa Blanca Barbarians, will be a key storyline. Additionally, the overall fan experience at Nyayo National Stadium, enhanced by the KBL sponsorship, will be a point of interest.