Executing what they have been training for will be key to the Kenya national sevens team approach to the third tournament of the World Rugby Challenger Series which kicks off on Saturday in Munich, Germany.

In an interview with Sports News Arena from Munich, Louis Kisia, the team’s assistant coach confirmed they were prepared for the two-day event. Kenya has been drawn in a tough Pool C that has Portugal, Chile, and Japan. The approach for every match shall be crucial as Shujaa seek to cement their qualification for a play-off in Madrid, Spain in the next two weeks. 

“Whoever we meet at any stage, the cycle has to continue and execution has to be top notch,” Kisia stated. To ensure this is done, Kenya has included two experienced players Herman Humwa and Brian Tanga.

Humwa who has had a leadership role in the previous team adds a competitive edge in the forwards and physicality while Tanga adds depth to the backline. Both players were not in Montevideo, Uruguay where Kenya finished third.

Also included is Anthony Odongo whose speed gives Shujaa an edge in open play. “He has grown in terms of his game understanding and we are all eager to see  what he brings this time around,” Kisia observed. 

Although Kenya is one of the top teams in Germany, the playing unit is not complacent and would use the competition to prepare for the qualifier in Madrid, Spain against the bottom four teams of the World Series. These are the USA, Canada, Spain and Samoa. 

The tournament in Germany shall be played concurrently with the women’s in Krakow, Poland in what the organizers believe ensures ‘fair’ results. 

Shujaa squad: Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi, Kevin Wekesa, John Okoth, Brian Tanga, George Ooro, Pattrick Odongo, Samuel Asati, Herman Humwa, Nygel Amaitsa, Lamech Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang.

Pools in Munich

Pool A: Georgia, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Uruguay

Pool B: Hong Kong China, Mexico,Tonga,  Uganda

Pool C: Chile, Japan, Kenya, Portugal.

Order of play

Chile v Portugal, Kenya v Japan, Uganda v Tonga, Hong Kong China v Mexico, Germany v Georgia, Uruguay v Papua New Guinea, Chile v Japan, Kenya v Portugal, Uganda v Mexico, Hong Kong China v Tonga, Tonga v Germany, Uruguay v Georgia, Portugal v Japan, Kenya v Chile, Tonga v Mexico, Hong Kong China v Uganda, Georgia v Papua New Guinea, Uruguay v Germany.

Men’s standings: Uruguay 36 (109), Kenya 36 (83), Chile 32 (78), Germany 26 (106), Hong Kong China 26 (96), Tonga 18 (-13), Japan 15 (32), Uganda 14 (63), Georgia 10 (-76), Portugal 9 (-54), Papua New Guinea 4 (-58), Mexico 2 (-366).

Draw for the playoff in Madrid, Spain

Pool A: USA, Canada, Challenger 1, Challenger 4.Pool B: Spain, Samoa, Challenger 2, Challenger 3.