Camaraderie within team propelling Leos to 7s Circuit success - Ojal

Strathmore Leos head coach Willis Ojal has credited team unity and camaraderie as the foundation of their strong form in the 2025 National Sevens Circuit, as they prepare for the Christie 7s this weekend.

The Leos, joint leaders after two legs, have reached the podium in their last two outings, including defending their Prinsloo 7s title in a rain-hit final against KCB.

“It’s been about brotherhood. We work as a unit, there’s no individual focus,we move together as a group and that has been key,” Ojal said.

At the season opener in Mombasa, Leos fell narrowly to KCB 15–14 in the Driftwood 7s final after trailing 15–0 at halftime. Despite a spirited second-half comeback through a Barnabas Owuor try and a penalty try, time ran out before they could complete the turnaround.

Ojal also noted that experience shaped their approach in Nakuru a week later, where they came out firing against the same opponents in the Prinsloo 7s final.

Victor Mola’s early breakaway try set the tone, with Stanislaus Shikoli, Mola again, and Barnabas Owuor crossing to build a commanding 24–7 halftime lead.

Heavy rain forced an early end to the match with three minutes left, sealing a second straight Prinsloo crown for the Leos.

“At Prinsloo, with three minutes to play, we had a commanding lead. We learnt from Driftwood where our late effort to come back wasn’t successful and we lost by one point.”  

"Starting strong made all the difference,” the coach observed.

The students  will, however, miss winger Collins Maina and hooker Denis Tubei with the latter having made his debut in Nakuru. The two will be the only absentees.

Last season's edition of Chritie 7s Strathmore Leos finished fourth after loosing to Catholic Monks in the third place final.

Strathmore Leos have won the Christie 7s once in 2022 where they edged out KCB 15 -10.

Ojal says that they will be out for atleast a podium finish but with their sights in winning another leg of the circuit.

"In Christie, We will be targeting atleast a podium finish but we want to be the best. So our target is beating the best and winning Christie." 

Drawn in Pool A alongside Kenya Harlequins, Zetech Oaks, and Mombada RFC, Strathmore are looking to strengthen their grip at the top of the standings, increasing their chances of winning the overall circuit.