Kenya Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba is taking no chances when it comes to securing qualification for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 after naming an experienced squad for the Africa region’s qualifier in Tunisia on October 31-November 1.
The Africa men’s qualifier – the final tournament in a qualifying process which began in South America back in January – will fill the three remaining spots in the 24-team men’s draw for RWC Sevens 2009 in Dubai from March 5-7.
As one of two African sides that are core members of the IRB Sevens World Series – the others being South Africa who have qualified automatically as Melrose Cup quarter finalists in 2005 – Kenya are the top seeds in the 12-team tournament in Tunis.
Kenya have been drawn in Pool A with Morocco and Ivory Coast on day one and must finish top to progress to the Cup semi finals on day two and within one victory of securing their passage to the fifth edition of the RWC Sevens.
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The main challengers to Kenya’s quest will be Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Uganda who all played in the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens in George last December and many of the players who helped Kenya finish seventh overall on the IRB Sevens World Series in 2007/08 will travel to Tunisia next week.
Humphrey Kayange will captain the side which features other IRB Sevens World Series veterans Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Dennis Mwanja and Innocent Simiyu, while Gibson Weru returns after a lengthy lay-off with a shoulder injury.
Two players named in the squad – Brian Nyikuli and Naftaly Bondo – will undergo fitness tests on Saturday and could be replaced by the likes of Vincent Mose, Cyprian Shimenga, Wilson K’Opondo and Joshua Gathumbi who have been named as non-travelling reserves by Ayimba at this stage.
“We do not want to go to the RWC Sevens as the third best team [in Africa]. Kenya is a core team and we will have to maintain that pedigree,” admitted Ayimba, whose side beat their African rivals to win the Safari Sevens on home soil earlier this year.
This was a sentiment echoed by Kayange earlier this month: “Qualification for the 2009 RWC 7’s is the main focus. It will be quite tough in Tunisia but we want to finish top although we expect a tough challenge from Tunisia and Zimbabwe.”
Uganda: Inspired to succeed
Meanwhile the Uganda men’s team will be hoping to draw inspiration from their female counterparts, the Lady Cranes, who qualified for the inaugural RWC Sevens women’s competition as runners-up to South Africa in the regional qualifier last month.
Captain Allan Musoke, whose side will face Cameroon and Namibia in Pool D in the qualifier, knows that his side will be under pressure to match the Lady Cranes’ achievement, but is confident Uganda have the right mix of youth and experience to succeed.
“Of course there will be lots of pressure on the older guys after the ladies qualified,” Musoke admitted. “Of course qualifying sticks to our minds because it’s like living a dream. However, we must focus on doing things right in training and when the tournament begins.
“The team is well balanced with experience and fresh ambitious faces. We can do it, with the inspiration from the women who have already booked a slot.”
Musoke and Robert Sseguya, Mathais Ochwo and Ronnie Lutakome provide the experience for Uganda who have former South Africa Sevens coach Norman Mbiko working with them, while Jonathan Onen, Joel Anguyo and Chris Lubanga are some of the exciting youngsters in the squad.
Kenya squad:
Humphrey Kayange (Captain), Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Horace Owiti (Mwamba), Biko Adema, Benedict Nyambu (Nondescripts), Brian Nyikuli, Naftaly Bondo, Innocent Simiyu (Impala), Dennis Mwanja (Kenya Commercial Bank), Gibson Weru (Nakuru RFC).
Non-travelling squad: Vincent Mose, Cyprian Shimenga (Nakuru RFC), Wilson K’Opondo (Mean Machine), Joshua Gathumbi (Strathmore University).
Uganda squad:
Jonathan Onen, Michael Wokorach, Brian Kikawa, Chris Lubanga, Timothy Mudoola, Mathias Ochwo, Allan Musoke (Captain), Richard Lumu, Ronnie Lutakome, Joel Anguyo, Robert Sseguya, Edmond Tumusiime.
Tunisia pool line up
Pool A
Kenya
Morocco
Ivory Coast
Pool B
Tunisia
Senegal
Zambia
Pool C
Zimbabwe
Madagascar
Botswana
Pool D
Uganda
Namibia
Cameroon
