Dubai 7s beckons for Shujaa ahead of 2027 campaign

The tournament will offer Shujaa an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition, build team cohesion and fine-tune their combinations ahead of the new season.

Shujaa will open their campaign against SCA Sevens and Shogun Rugby on Friday, November 27, before facing Butchers 7s and Froggies Club on Saturday.

They will conclude their round-robin fixtures against UAE Shaheen on Sunday, November 29, with the knockout matches also scheduled for the final day.

The invitation comes as Shujaa step up preparations under head coach Kevin Wambua, who resumed training with the squad at the RFUEA Grounds last week.

Wambua and his technical bench will use the Dubai assignment to assess players, strengthen combinations and build a competitive squad ahead of a demanding international season.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is expected to name a 24-player squad for the 2026–27 season as preparations gather pace.

Shujaa’s main assignment will be the three-leg HSBC SVNS 2 series, which offers a pathway to the World Championship rounds.

The series will begin in Nairobi on January 23–24, 2027, giving Kenya the advantage of opening their campaign in front of home supporters.

The second leg will take place in Montevideo, Uruguay, on February 20–21, before the series concludes in São Paulo, Brazil, on February 27–28.

The top four teams in the SVNS 2 standings will qualify for the World Championship rounds, making consistency across all three legs essential.

Shujaa will be hoping to carry their recent momentum into the Dubai tournament after winning the Safari Sevens in October. They defeated Morans 24–7 in the final to lift the title.

The Dubai Invitational will therefore provide an important test of their progress as they target a top-four finish in the SVNS 2 series and a strong start to the 2027 international season.

Report by Oliver Okingo