After what has been a lukewarm season for the Kenya sevens, the side will be looking to finish on a strong footing at the Commonwealth games in Glasgow.
In the 2010 games in Delhi, Kenya were eliminated at the quarter final stage by Australia. From the 12 that have made the trip to Glasgow, four were part of that team that fell 27-5 four years ago. This time round the side will have their sights firmly set on a podium finish.
The side welcomes back inspirational duo of skipper Andrew Amonde who missed the last two legs of the HSBC World series through injury, and Oscar Ouma who had personal commitments. The rest of the squad is as was two months ago here at the Glasgow leg.
The duo of Michael Wanjala and Felix Ayange keep their sweeper roles after an impressive showing the the last two legs. Humphrey Kayange, Patrice Agunda and Tony Owuor complete the forwards line up, Michael Agevi and Biko Adema at fly half, Ombachi at wing with Injera and Billy at either centre or wing.
In May this squad reached the Plate final of the Glasgow leg, after miraculously making the cup quarter final off one win in Pool C. Most will however remember Glasgow for that 14-7 win over South Africa in the Plate Semis.
At the weekend, the two African giants will clash again in the final match of Pool B, that also has the Cook Islands and Trinidad & Tobago.
Kenya start their journey to the podium against the Cook Islands, at 1:06 pm, then take on Trinidad & Tobago at 9:52 pm. The two look like potentially tricky customers but we should have enough to see them off.
The turn around time between the first two matches, (8 hours) has been a cause of concern over the last few days. With the Australians leading a host of sides in questioning the turn around times, terming the eight hour break ‘disruptive’. I don’t see anything changing as far as the schedule goes.
The last match at 12:10 am on Sunday against South Africa should determine who tops the Pool. The two sides have played each other 5 times this season, the South Africans winning four of those. As earlier mentioned, Kenya registered it’s only win at the Glasgow leg of the HSBC World series.
With the runners up in Pool B most likely facing four time Commonwealth winners New Zealand, the two sides will be looking to avoid meeting the All Blacks this early. The other sides in Pool A are Canada, the hosts Scotland and Barbados.
Expect a more fluid side at the Ibrox Stadium, building on the strides we made in the last two legs of the World series, and indeed the whole of the series. With the 2014/15 season already around the corner, a strong showing here will go a long way into the crucial Olympic qualifiers.
The experience of the likes of Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, Andrew Amonde and Biko Adema at this stage will be vital to the side, having played in the 2010 team in Delhi. Expect a big show from Biko Adema who was a late inclusion to the side after Martin Owila failed to secure his Visa in time.
A podium finish in Glasgow is not out of reach for this side, with all too familiar opposition standing in the way. But as the Treu pointed out before the side departed for Glasgow, they will be taking it one game at a time, and see how this one pans out.
The squad in full : Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera, Oscar Ouma, Patrice Agunda, Tony Owuor, Humphrey Kayange, Biko Adema, Felix Ayange, Michael Wanjala, Michael Agevi, Dennis Ombachi, Billy Odhiambo.
The local timings for the matches : Kenya vs Cook Islands – Saturday, 1:06 pm. Kenya vs Trinidad & Tobago – Saturday, 9:52 pm. Kenya vs South Africa – Sunday, 12:10 am.
All the best to the side..
KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!
