Ambitious Shujaa face acid test against big guns in Vancouver
Shujaa will face an acid test at Vancouver Sevens on Saturday following recording a poor performance in Singapore last weekend.
Innocent Simiyu’s charges face rugby sevens, heavyweights, with their opening fixture coming at exactly 8:31pm against familiar foe USA.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season with Mike Friday’s charges having the upper hand after winning three encounters.
The Mike Friday’s charges won in Singapore (12-10) and in Dubai (14-7 and 24-21 ) with Kenya winning 29-0 in the second leg in Dubai.
Once Shujaa are done with USA, Singapore champions Fiji will come knocking with their superb display of mouthwatering rugby.
Shujaa will face the stern test of their credentials against Fiji at 12:04 am. It will be the second time the two sides are clashing with the Pacific Islanders having won 19-5 in Dubai.
Kenya’s final match will be against England at 3:07 am with the former colonial masters having won the initial two meetings – 33-5 and 10-5 respectively in Dubai in November.
Prior to their tour in Vancouver head coach Simiyu said the side have had a good week in terms of preparation and was optimistic about Kenya’s chances in the leg.
“A bit unlucky last weekend in Singapore. The results did not go our way, especially in the pool stage but I am confident we can correct the wrongs of last weekend,” added Simiyu.
The former skipper said they have improved their goal kicking which let them down last week and believes they are on the right track.
“Our kickers have had practice this week on their goal-kicking and we hope we can be successful in that regard,” he said.
Simiyu said the tournament in Vancouver will be the perfect preparation for next weekend’s Africa Cup Sevens in Kampala, which will act as a World Cup qualifier.
“We are using it as a trial for the World Cup qualifiers and we want to improve in all our facets of play and be in peak condition by the time we arrive in Kampala,” added Simiyu.
Skipper Nelson Oyoo said they will take the ‘one game at a time’ approach despite Kenya currently being placed 10th on the log with 36 points from five tournaments played.
“Our first match against the USA will be crucial matches between us and them are always close and we will be going all out for a win,” said Oyoo.
The top two teams in the pool qualify for the Main Cup quarterfinals while the third and fourth place teams will drop to the classification matches.
