Shujaa face a moment of truth as the battle to avoid relegation takes centre-stage at the London Sevens this weekend at Twickenham Stadium.
Kenya, who have been a core side since the 2003-2004 season, face Challenger Series winners Tonga, Uruguay and Canada for the single slot in the 2023-2024 season.
It has been a disappointing season for Kenya, who finished 13th overall with 40 points—failing to qualify for the Main Cup quarters in the nine tournaments played this season.
Head coach Damian McGrath termed the situation as the most tricky they have faced in the last two decades.
"This is tricky and we know what's at stake for the team. It's about our survival and there is no room for error. The boys know the fans back home and here in England are waiting and we can't afford to disappoint them," he observed.
Kenya bagged three points last weekend in Toulouse, winning two matches against USA 19-0 and against relegated Japan 33-12.
Shujaa had lost three preliminary matches last week in Toulouse, going down 19-5 to Uruguay, 31-5 to champions New Zealand and 33-7 to Canada. In the classification match for 9-10 place, Kenya lost 17-10 to Samoa.
Shujaa open their relegation playoff against Canada at 1:51 pm on Saturday. MCGrath's charges have won three of the four encounters this season, winning 28-14 in Singapore, 12-5 in Los Angeles, and 21-5 in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Shujaa then take on Tonga at 4:54 pm with the two sides having met Sydney and Hamilton tournaments in January with Kenya winning both encounters 33-19 and 26-24 respectively.
Kenya face Uruguay at 2:19 on Sunday. The South Americans have been Shujaa's bogey team this season, winning four times this campaign. They won 10-7 in Hong Kong in November, 21-19 in Vancouver in March and 33-17 in Singapore (March) and 19-5 in Toulouse last weekend.
Kenya won once this season against the South Americans (21-19) in Hamilton, New Zealand. The top two teams in the round-robin format will then clash in the final at 6:56 pm on Sunday to decide who will be the 12th and final team for next season.
