Shujaa are hoping to continue their rich vein of form when the Challenger Sevens series starts today in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Fresh from winning the Dubai leg in January, where they beat Chile in the final 12-5, head coach Kevin Wambua expects a tough test over the three-day tournament.
The team arrived in the Uruguayan capital on Monday night and had a light training session on Tuesday. Wambua said the boys have settled well and are ready for the start of the tournament.
"It was quite a long flight but the boys are in good spirits. We want to play well and our target, just like Dubai, is to be in the semifinals. We know it won't be easy because teams will come hard at us. We have a plan for the three-day event to stay ahead of the competition," added Wambua.
Kenya started their campaign against Portugal at 9:01 pm (EAT) and Wambua termed the European outfit as dangerous.
“They play with flair and are very physical. We want to bounce back from a poor event in Dubai and we will have to be at our best to beat them,”
Shujaa's second match will be up against Georgia on Saturday at 1:48 am and the tactician has termed them as a tough side. "Georgia Rugby is physical and we plan to play a fast-tempo match to tire them and look at utilising our chances,” added Wambua.
Wambua's charges' final pool match will be against last season's Challenger Seven series winner Tonga in what could be the decider of the pool.
“They are a quality side with lots of experienced players and play a physical brand of rugby with lots of flair."
The Mwamba RFC coach is expected to hand debuts to the likes of Lameck Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang, and Elvis Olukusi while the duo of Ben Salem of Nondies and Oilers' Dennis Abukuse return to the squad and will feature in the tournament
Kenya Lionesses will welcome speed star Janet “ Shebesh” Okello back to the starting lineup and will aim to go one place better after losing to China 19-5 in the final in January.
Dennis Mwanja'a charges face Hong Kong China in their opening match at 6:36 pm before taking on Papua New Guinea at 11:26 pm. Their final match against Belgium will be on Saturday at 6:21 pm.
