Kenya’s hopes of staying in the HSBC World Seven series hang by a thread as they head into a two-week period which could save - or sink - their chances of staying in the series next season.
With the 12 top teams being retained in a streamlined 2023/4 series, Kenya sit uncomfortably at 13th on the log with just four tournaments left to play and heading into Hong Kong are five points behind 12th placed Spain and nine behind 11th placed Uruguay.
The chances are, if Kenya do not make some progress in the next two week stint, they will be heading into the final two tournaments of the series under severe pressure to not drop to the Challenger series.
Coach Damian McGrath has brought in Jeff Oluoch into the travelling squad while Johnstone Olindi also returns for the first time since the opening two tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town.
Oluoch, who recently qualified as a policeman, promised not to let the side down.
“It feels good to be back with the team. I have been putting in a shift and it feels good to be back. There are massive expectations from everyone but we know the boys will not let you down,” he told The Standard newspaper.
It will be tough from the outset for Kenya because their low ranking sees them in Group D alongside New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa, all teams above them.
But it is likely that if they do not qualify for the Cup competition, they will need to fight it out on day three of the tournament for as many points as possible, and for Series survival.
Kenya 7s fixtures
Friday
8:40am v New Zealand
Saturday
5:28am v Ireland
9:25am v South Africa
Shujaa squad to Hong Kong and Singapore: Daniel Taabu, George Ooro, Billy Odhiambo, Kevin Wekesa, Tony Omondi, Herman Humwa, Nelson Oyoo (Captain), Johnstone Olindi, Edmund Anya, Brian Tanga, John Okoth, Alvin Otieno, Jeff Oluoch