Kenya 7s, On The Edge Of Glory.

The wait is finally over, in a little over 24 hours, the Kenya 7s will be kicking off their world cup campaign at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, against the Philippines.  This will be Kenya’s 4^th appearance at the Sevens world cup, after making their maiden run out at the world stage in Argentina, 2001. This will be in most books, the most promising side we have sent to the world cup.

In 2001, the Kenya side with the likes of Allan Hicks, Kanyi Gitonga, Paul Murunga, Oscar Osir, Mitch Ocholla, Ken Aswani, Felix Ochieng and Benjamin Ayimba under Bill Githinji managed only one win. A 12-7 win over France in the Bowl Quarter Finals, after losses to South Korea (17-33), Ireland (10-31), Fiji (7-52), Argentina (7-36) and Russia (7-14) in the Pool stages. We went on to lose in the Bowl Semi, 12-35 to Chile.

In Hong Kong, 2005, Bill Githinji recalled Felix Ochieng, Ben Ayimba and Oscar Osir from the squad that played in 2001 alongside a young and promising contingent of Allan Makaka, Victor Sudi, Leslie Mango, Sidney Ashioya, Newton Ongalo, Lucas Onyango and Peter Ocholla. That squad went two better, winning 3 matches, two in the Pool stages against Uruguay (17-14) and Tunisia (22-12) then in the Bowl Quarters 26-10 against Hong Kong.  

In 2009, Benjamin Ayimba was now in charge of the side heading to Dubai. That side captained by Humphrey Kayange with the likes Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Ian Simiyu, Biko Adema, Horace Otieno, Gibson Weru and Victor Oduor, had just completed the most successful season (08/09) in our short IRB series history. Wins against, South Africa, Samoa, England and most notably New Zealand in Hong Kong, saw the side finish the series an impressive 6^th on 64 points.  That was also the season we reached our first Cup final, which ended in a 26-7 loss to South Africa in Australia.

That form was transferred to the World Cup, with Kenya winning 2 of their 3 pool matches (29-7 vs Tunisia, 43-7 vs Hong Kong and 7-26 vs England) ensuring their passage to the cup quarter final. For most, this quarter final against Fiji remains one of the best matches played by the Kenya 7s. Leading 7-0 at the break, Kenya went on to impressively beat Fiji 26-7 at the final whistle. This was the first time we were beating the Fijians ever. A narrow 12-0 semifinal defeat to Argentina saw Kenya bow out of the Tournament with their heads held high.

Fast forward to present day, you could say Kenya sevens has gone full circle since Dubai 2009. The slump after this, hitting our lowest point in recent times in the 2011-12 series, then the re awakening under Mike Friday the very next season. Under Big M, most of the records held by that 2008/9 squad have been shattered. A cup final and 4 semifinals at the 12/13 season saw Kenya finish 5^th on 99 points, to earn a spot at the big boys table. Wins against the power houses New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, South Africa are no longer considered achievements.

Kenya come into the tournament ranked 10^th out of the 24 teams, with 113 points, based on the 2010/11, 2011/12, seasons and the first 5 events of the 12/13 season. France are 9^th are on 144 points, with Scotland in 11^th on 93 points. No points for guessing who the top seeds are, New Zealand, on 429 points, Fiji and South Africa round off the top three on 349 and 338 points respectively.

The squad to Russia consists of 5 faces that were in that 2009 squad in Lavin Asego, Humphrey Kayange, Horace Otieno, Biko Adema and Collins Injera. They are joined by Captain Andrew Amonde, Oscar Ouma, Patrice Agunda, Mike Wanjala, William Ambaka, Felix Ayange and Eden Agero. These 12 have been main stays in the past season, Humphrey Kayange and Felix Ayange coming in to the fold during the last two legs and impressing greatly.

In Russia, Kenya is pooled alongside Samoa who are ranked 4^th on 324 points, Philippines (23^rd, 0 Points) and Zimbabwe (18^th, 12 Points) in Pool C. The Pool fixtures are as follows (EAT) :

Friday 28^th, 14:22, Kenya  vs  Philippines.

Saturday 29^th, 08:22, Kenya vs Zimbabwe.

Saturday 29^th, 14:14, Kenya vs Samoa.

 It looks like a very easy pool, but if this season has taught us anything it is that the margins in the sevens game have been reduced to almost nothing. With only the top side at the end of the Pool phase guaranteed a spot at the Cup quarter final, we have to win all our games. On paper, Samoa should pose the greatest threat.

We have met the Samoans on two occasions this past season, losing on both, 12-14 in Gold Coast and 0-26 in Glasgow. Samoa has been one of the sides that have been able to cope with our physicality with an almost nagging degree of ease. The return of coach Stephen Betham who won the 2010- 2011 series will make this Samoa side that much harder to beat. Betham recalls old heads Uale Mai, Alofoti Fao Siliva and Lolo Lui who were all part of that 2011 side.

They are joined last season’s main campaigners captain Afa Aiono, Lio Lolo, Paul Perez and Alatasi Topou, clearly, experience is no problem for them. With the experience though comes a bit of slow legs, we’ll need to keep the tempo at a very high rate against them through the 14 minutes.

This will be the second time we are meeting Zimbabwe this year after beating them at the CAR sevens final. Our African brothers always turn it up a notch when they meet us, we should not take anything  for granted when we face them. They have picked a very experienced side, with most of the faces that were down at the Coast travelling to Moscow.

 Philippines are a fairly new side both in the tournament and rugby. They really have nothing to lose, it’s an achievement by itself making it this far according to captain Michael Letts. They trained with the All Blacks a few days back, sure they picked up a few pointers. They’ll be playing with no pressure at all, these ones are usually tricky if not handled with full concentration.

We've had close to two months to work on any weaknesses, brush up on our strategies. A major point of failure in the past season was our break downs, especially against the seasoned sides. This was largely due to our naivety, if you will, at these areas. I’m sure the break has been used to teach the boys a few tricks here and there. I don’t expect us to be perfect in Moscow, but having improved on our previous levels.

Another short coming was our one dimensional play, this I don’t expect to change. Two months is not enough time to introduce and inculcate a new game plan especially before such a crucial tournament. If all you have is a sword and you are going into battle tomorrow, you don’t go looking for another weapon, you sharpen your sword. Thus, I expect the team to have perfected their game play, made it even more devastating.

If Big M was to give me a ring, Friday noon, tell me to help him select the starting seven, this would be it ; Humphrey Kayange, Oscar Ouma, Andrew Amonde, Felix Ayange, Lavin Asego, William Ambaka, Collins Injera. The Forwards, the centre and the wing pick themselves really, the headache comes at the half backs. I've settled for the two, because of what they add in attack, they have a bit more in the bag. We'll also have amazing options on the bench especially in the half backs with, Horace Otieno, Patrice Agunda, Eden Agero, Biko Adema and Mike Wanjala.

Russia 2013 comes at almost a similar stage as Dubai back in 2009, the team had just had their most successful season and it was a matter of transferring this form onto the World cup. The pressure might be more on this side, but I don’t see why we shouldn't go two better than the 09 side and bring home the Melrose Cup

Even before I take a peek into my crystal ball, one thing is for sure..we are going to meet New Zealand at some point, I just hope it’s in the Melrose Cup final. The 24 teams will be ranked after Pool action, based on the points garnered. The top eight will be drawn in the Cup quarter final with 1^st playing 8^th, 2^nd facing 7^th and so forth. It goes without saying that we need to score as many points as possible, especially in the first two matches. The perfect scenario would be us topping our pool and falling inside the first four places.

Expectations are at an all time high, every one concurs that it is finally time to reap from all the work that has been put in since the 80’s. That it is time to turn all those close shaves that we've had, all the blood, sweat and tears we've poured along the way, into a cup, and not just any cup, No, the most valuable cup in sevens rugby, the Melrose Cup.  To quote a piece by John Allan Namu on KTN's Perspective, "We Are On The Edge Of Glory…"

With that Ladies and Gentlemen, All the best to the Boys in Moscow…lets be in good voice as we do our part in pushing the lads over the edge and onto glory…

KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!!