Kenya Sevens speedster Patrick Odongo is set to miss the Embu 7s after picking up another ankle injury during the Kabeberi 7s held from Saturday, 15 to Sunday, 16 August at the RFUEA Grounds.
Odongo sustained the latest setback during his club’s final match of the opening day against Kenya Harlequin, having already been managing an injury to his other leg suffered during the Hong Kong 7s.The Daystar Falcons lynchpin, who did not feature at the Driftwood 7s, is expected to spend about two weeks on the sidelines as he undergoes rehabilitation.
David Nyangige delighted to make KCB debut after months of transfer saga“I picked up an injury during the Kabeberi 7s. I injured my ankle in our last game of the first day against Quins.I actually got injured early in the game, so I will be out for some time, probably around two weeks. I’ll have the leg checked, and then we’ll see how it progresses,” Odongo said.
The injury comes as Odongo was making progress from the setback he suffered during the Hong Kong 7s. He injured his other leg in Kenya’s opening match against Australia, an injury that kept him out of training for a period. “I injured my other leg during the Hong Kong 7s, in our first game against Australia. The injury kept me out for some time, and I wasn’t able to train,” he explained.“I have been undergoing rehabilitation, and it has been disturbing me for a while. Thankfully, it is now much better because I have nursed it well and it is recovering. Now it’s the other leg, but with time, I believe everything will be fine as long as I continue with my rehabilitation,” he continued.
Jone Kubu opens up on red card ordeal that kept him out for 4 monthsOdongo’s absence will be a blow to his club as the National Sevens Circuit continues, with the Embu 7s next on the calendar.The winger is eager to return to action and reunite with his teammates after another frustrating spell on the sidelines.“I miss being back in action. The local circuit is very competitive, and I’m just praying for my club. I know they miss me, and I miss them too. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon and playing with them again,” he said.
Meanwhile, Odongo has also earned a place in the Ultimate 7s draft pool alongside nine other Shujaa players.The Kenyan contingent includes experienced campaigners Tony Omondi, Vincent Onyala, Samuel Asati, co-captain George Ooro, John Okoth, Kevin Wekesa, Nygel Amaitsa and Festus Shiasi.
The women’s contingent features four Kenya Lionesses internationals: Freshia Odour, Sinaida Nyachio, Maureen Muritu and Sheila Chajira.Former Kenya Sevens star bags major title in USThe 14 Kenyans are part of a draft pool of more than 120 players competing for places across six franchises in the new international sevens competition.Ultimate 7s is a franchise-based international sevens championship launched under the BIA Sports Group banner.
Six founding clubs: Albion Athletic Sevens Club, Atlantic Novas Sevens Club, Foudre Bleue Sevens Club, Pacific Current Sevens Club, Clan Taran Sevens Club and Sol Feroz Sevens Club will compete across a four-stop European tour. Each franchise will field men’s and women’s squads of 12 players, with coaches Philip Snyman, Shannon Fraser, Kelly Brazier, Maria Ribera, Crystal Kaua and Paco Hernández in charge of the respective teams.
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Tournament organisers have already allocated 24 marquee players, with the remaining places to be filled through a five-round draft. Coaches will have just 45 seconds to make each selection.Each squad will comprise two marquee players, nine drafted elite players and one academy player, with the full squad lists expected to be confirmed after the draft.The inaugural Ultimate 7s season will begin on Saturday, 5 September, at Ontime Butarque Stadium in Madrid before moving to Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, 12 September, and Parc des Sports Aguilera in Biarritz on Friday, 18 September.Kenyan rugby star makes long-awaited debut in CanadaThe season will conclude with the Grand Final at London’s Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday, 24 September.