Paul Treu settled for a fairly experienced side to the Vegas and Wellington legs, the best 12 we have seen this season.
While naming the squad Treu noted that the side had the quality and talent to see off any opponent. With more time under Treu and the camp in George, all is set for a strong performance in Vegas.
“We have enough quality and talent in this team to start beating those [top] teams and once we start putting all these things together….anything is possible”
Collins Injera captain’s the side that includes his two brothers in former captain Humphrey Kayange and Mike Agevi. The biggest miss in the squad is definitely Andrew Amonde but with the return of Kayange and Ouma, you feel there is enough cover also with Skuta, Horace and the debutant Tony Owuor.
At the backs the possibility of playing Billy Odhiambo and Dennis Ombachi is very exciting, with Injera dropping to sweeper giving us some great attacking options across the field. A cause of concern however is if the flyer was to get injured, but that wont happen. From the last two legs, our defensive systems had not clicked, a better display is expected this time out.
Our biggest headache last season was consistency, case in point during these two legs last year where we started in Wellington. We all remember how Wellington went, coming to Vegas though we were knocked out at the Shield Semi-final.
So far the side has managed to consistently get to the Cup competition and with this squad, expectations will be higher.
The first match against Canada looks like a straight forward affair, having already beaten the Canadians 24-12 in South Africa. However with the likes of Nanyak Dala who always seems to love having a go at Kenya, and Chris Brown on the technical bench this one could turn very fast. It goes without saying that a strong start in this one is important.
This will be the second meeting against Wales this season, they have always been a tricky customer, they beat us the last time out, 24-19 in Dubai at the Plate semis. With their new technical bench, you can be sure that they will be looking to make a statement here.
South Africa seem to be everywhere we turn this season, even drawing them in the July Commonwealth games. We have met twice so far, losing on both occasions, this may be the time Treu gets one over his home side. We should preferably go into this game with as little pressure as possible, which means winning the first two matches.
Vegas has always been a second home for the Kenya 7s and this year you feel that the side owes it not only to themselves but to their fanatical supporters to put in a great performance especially after last year’s dismal showing.
Local Timings :
Saturday 25 January 2014
Kenya v Canada – 3.22am
Kenya v Wales – 6.18am
Sunday 26 January 2014
Kenya v South Africa – 1.12am
KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!
