Willis Ojal will step down as head coach of Strathmore Leos following the conclusion of the 2026 National 7s Circuit, bringing his tenure at the varsity side to an end after a memorable spell in charge.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsOjal confirmed his decision after Strathmore Leos finished runners-up at the Christie 7s, losing 24-12 to Menengai Oilers in the final played on Sunday, 13 September at the RFUEA Grounds.Despite the defeat, the result provided an emotional send-off for Ojal, who revealed that the players were determined to give him a fitting farewell in his final match at the helm.Menengai Oilers clinch maiden Christie 7s title following win over students“I think it is just timing and what we are going through as a team. This being my last game in charge, and the boys also wanted to give me a good send-off. I am stepping down as head coach of Strathmore after the finals,” Ojal told Mozzart Sport.His decision comes after a season that presented both successes and difficult moments, including the demise of fellow coach Hamza, which Ojal described as one of the hardest experiences of his time with the team.“The season has had a lot of learnings. Emotional intelligence has to come into play, and the loss of Coach Hamza also hit us hard. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9953002##That is one of the reasons why I am stepping down. I have learnt how to deal with different characters and different situations, but the loss of Coach Hamza was difficult,” he said.Ojal also cited family and business commitments as factors behind his decision, saying he has reached a point where balancing his responsibilities with the demands of coaching had become increasingly difficult.“I also want to take care of my young family, while my business needs more attention. I have been struggling to juggle a lot of things, and I feel it is the right time for me to step away,” he explained.Ashiundu reveals how Kabras teammates supported him after painful loss of family memberOjal leaves Strathmore having played a significant role in the development and success of the Leos, particularly on the National 7s Circuit.Under his guidance, Strathmore finished second overall in the 2025 National 7s Circuit after a strong campaign that included tournament victories at the Prinsloo 7s and Embu 7s.His work was also recognised beyond the rugby field when he was named the university's Best Performing Coach at its annual staff awards in November 2025.##NAJAVA_MECA_9953037##One of the defining aspects of his tenure was his contribution to player development, with several young Strathmore players earning call-ups to national rugby teams during his time in charge.However, the 2026 season proved challenging for the Leos, particularly following Hamza's death.Ojal pointed to the Driftwood 7s and Kabeberi 7s as difficult stages of the circuit, with the Driftwood tournament coming just a week after Hamza's passing.Festus Shiasi opens up on special quality that earned him Ultimate 7s selection“We struggled in some legs of the circuit, like Driftwood. Driftwood came just one week after Coach Hamza had passed on, and Kabeberi was also difficult. I think everyone was just trying to come to terms with what had happened. There was no synergy because of the emotions and everything that was going on,” he said.The coach also acknowledged that factors away from the pitch contributed to the team's struggles.##NAJAVA_MECA_9953023##“There was no synergy at many levels. Even how we travelled to Driftwood and how we got there, I feel that contributed to it. We had moved away from how we normally operate as a team.”Despite the challenges, Ojal leaves Strathmore with fond memories of his time with the team and no regrets about taking up the coaching role.“My time at Strathmore has been very enjoyable, to be honest. I have learnt a lot, and I do not regret it at all,” he said.Three LA28 Olympics qualification pathways available for Shujaa and LionessesFor Ojal, however, the biggest loss will not be the coaching role itself but the daily interaction with the players he has worked with.“What I will miss the most about Strathmore is the boys. These boys have been my therapy, especially after having a long day. I used to look forward to training because I would feel so much better after being with them,” he said.As he closes the chapter on his time with the Leos, Ojal had a simple message for the players who were part of his journey.##NAJAVA_MECA_9953013##“One word for the boys as I leave: thank you. Thank you for everything.”