Kenya seeks top spot in Edmonton
Shujaa will be hoping to take the momentum gained at the HSBC World Sevens Series opener in Vancouver Sevens where they finished second to Edmonton Sevens.
To improve Kenya’ chances of winning the title in Edmonton, Shujaa boss is banking on improving with specific reference to their semi-finals match against Ireland.
“For us it’s all about improving on individual and team performances in every aspect of the game.
I believe if we can manage to execute and improve on the Ireland game we will be in a good space going forward,” Coach Innocent Simiyu told People Sport.
The final was the second historic all-African final with South Africa after the 2009 Adelaide Sevens where Kenya lost 26-7 and once again Kenya settled for silverware.
Shujaa will need to replicate their pool play this weekend to achieve one of the direct six quarter-finals slots.
The team are grouped with USA, Chile and Spain, facing non-core side, Chile, in their third meeting this year with a squad of experienced players and five debutants.
Namcos admitted the team will need to maintain consistency in executing under pressure to top their next pool and better their chances in the race for the overall title is set to be concluded in Edmonton, Canada.
The second meeting between the African sides showed how the BlitzBoks avoided a second half gamble with Shujaa.
In the pool match the Boks led 28-0 half time and in the cup finals they led 27-0 at the break.
“Our consistency in executing technical skills under pressure needs to improve. We will work on it going forward,” he added.
Shujaa half back Daniel Taabu scored the lone try in the final that was earned after smashing Ireland 38-5 in the semifinals.
Kenya had initially seen off USA in a priceless 19-14 win in the cup quarter-finals.
The convincing win over the Irish men defined the team’s capabilities in a six-try execution by the who signaled caution to the BlitzBoks camp.
Willy Ambaka, Daniel Taabu, Levy Amunga, Mark Kwemoi and Alvin Otieno’s brace helped sail Shujaa into a cup final that now has Kenya set up the bar high ahead of the moment of truth in the final event coming up.
In the quarter finals, Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno delivered a brace that was supported by a try by Taabu to crack the USA Eagles 19-14 to earn vengeance for Tokyo Olympics pool match loss.
