Kenya target semi-final finish in Hong Kong 7s
Rugby
By
-K OCHIENG’
| Mar 22, 2014
By ERICK OCHIENG’
|
|
Kenya has named a strong squad for the Hong Kong’s Sevens Women Tournament scheduled for March 28 with an intention of an impressive finish.
Good performance will draw the country closer to inclusion in the International Rugby Board (IRB) series.
Kenya, second placed in Africa, needs a fourth place finish in Hong Kong and a title lift in the forthcoming Confederation of African Rugby (CAR), to be hosted at Machakos’ Kenyatta stadium next month, in order to be included in IRB series for women.
“This squad I have named today will be upto the task to propel us to the IRB series,” said coach Kevin Wambua, at the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) offices where he named the Kenya Lionesses yesterday.
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The 12 players have been named with one new inclusion from the team that reached the Dubai Sevens International last December. Mary Musieka replaced Mary Otieno on tactical reason to give the team more options at scrum half.
The team, that has been training for nine weeks a head of Hong Kong at the KRU grounds had their last training last evening and are scheduled to depart to Hong Kong on Monday.
Kenya will open the championships against France and then take on China in the pool C group stages in the one-day tournament.
According to Wambua’s strategy, the team will have to take the lead first, settle in the game and take control of it in the matches.
Wambua added he is not shaken by the lack of friendly matches attributed to non-existent of women league in the country.
Team Manager Doris Mwanzia, said they might have slight changes after Hong Kong when they proceed for CAR in Machakos.
“We have brought in four girls who finished high school last year and they are very promising, we will asses the squad in Hong Kong and do replacements if necessary ahead of CAR,” she said.
Team Captain Doreen Remour told FeverPitch they are eyeing podium finishes in the two tournaments.
Squad: Doreen Remour (Captain), Camilyne Awuor (Vice Captain), Catherine Abila, Celestine Masinde, Emily Woods, Irene Otieno, Janet Owino, Janet Okello, Mary Musieka, Philadelphia Olando, Rachel Adhiambo, Stacy Awuor.
Management: Kevin Wambua (Head Coach), Michael Shamiah (Assistant Coach), Doris Mwanzia (Team Manager), Ben Mahinda (Physiotherapist).