We will play for national pride, says coach Ayimba

Kenya shuja coach Benjamni Ayimba during the first day of 2015 Safari sevens rugby tournament at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Oct. 3 2015. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Kenya Sevens rugby team were beaming with confidence as they departed for Johannesburg last evening for this weekend’s Africa Olympic qualifiers in South Africa.

Head coach Benjamin Ayimba admitted that he faced a selection headache after an impressive one-week altitude training camp at the Nandi Bears Golf Club, Nandi County.

With their continental rivals and hosts South Africa having already qualified, Shujaa are considered  favourites to headline Pool A which has Madagascar, Senegal and Mauritius.

The winners of the 12-team tournament will qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics, while the second, third and fourth-placed teams will compete in the final qualifying tournament in June.

With the availability of their seasoned players, led by speedy winger Collins Injera, Dennis Ombachi, Billy Odhiambo, Oscar Ayodi, Willy Ambaka and Leonard Mugaisi, Shujaa are fired up for the Johannesburg test.

Despite going for the qualifiers without contracts, Ayimba says the players are aware of what is ahead of them and are motivated to restore their lost glory on the international scene.

“We want to qualify for the Olympics so badly. We are actually doing this without any contracts and money; we just want to restore the pride in our Kenyan shirt,” Ayimba told FeverPitch.

“Having seen these players training hard without anything concrete about their contracts from their commitment and dedication they are proud to wear the shirt and make their country proud.

“We are going there knowing very well that all the teams will come hard on us. It is a one-chance situation and we cannot afford to underrate any team. Our one-week training camp in Nandi has been impressive and the mood is really encouraging. The boys are fired up and everybody knows the only incentive is getting a ticket to the Olympics,” he added.

However, Kenya Rugby Union CEO Ronald Bukusi urged the players to be patriotic and put their country first.

“We are always in contact with the technical team and the players, but we should not make money the reason for everything we do. Let’s restore our pride as opposed to thinking that we are getting into this because of money,” said Bukusi.