Rugby Cranes coach Wafula aims to balance attack with defence

By Johnson Were

Herbert Wafula will focus on ball handling, defence and attacking in the little time he has to prepare the Rugby Cranes 7s team for the Kenya Safari Sevens in Nairobi next weekend.

Wafula disclosed this after accepting the new job of returning to the 7s team he coached in 2003 after the suspension of John
Musoke.

“I started work on Sunday and our focus is on ball handling, defence and attacking as we plan to use Safari 7s to try and perfect our team ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in South Africa,” Wafula stated.

The former national team captain holds a level II coaching certificate from South Africa and he is a World Rugby Educator. Wafula is also the country’s most experienced 7s coach.

James Odongo, Ramathan Govule, Alfred Bijik, Lawrence Ssebuliba, James Musiitwa, Brian Kikawa, James Ijongat, Emma Echodu, Keith Sseruyange, Solomon Okias and Ezekiel Okol are some of the players Wafula has in mind to be part of his final squad.

Meanwhile, the Lady Rugby Cranes 7s team leaves tomorrow to South Africa for the Africa Olympic qualifiers.

Team captain Charlotte Mudoola believes that her charges are ready for the challenge and expects the team to finish in the top four.

“We just need motivation, we have some youngsters but we are ready and target to finish in the top four,” Mudoola stated.

The Lady Rugby Cranes face South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia in the group stages.

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