Kenya 7s have achieved all their seasons goals-Ayimba

Injured William Ambaka is likely to recover in time to feature at this weekend’s season-ending HSBC World Sevens Series London 7s as national sevens team head coach, Benjamin Ayimba, declared objectives of the 2015-16 campaign had been met.

Kenya needs to at least make the London Plate Semis to surpass the record haul set by Briton Mike Friday of 99 after collecting 10 points in France 7s to over the weekend to remain seventh on the log on 95 with Ayimba eyeing a thumping finish to his first season after his return to the helm.

“Paris has been a good harvesting place for us. We got the 10 points that are really good to us. Making the quarterfinals while trying combinations going to the Olympics meant it was a good outing.

“The tempo that we take home and now that we know what combinations we can have in the field is a plus for us. We have ticked all the boxes we wanted to achieve this season so London for us will be a huge practise ground to test what players we have for whatever positions,” Ayimba remarked on the team’s latest outing.

“Willy’s injury is not a big deal. It’s not one that will take him out. We just took precautionary measures to rest him out for that game. We have many players sitting out for the same reason,” the head coach said.

Coming in as champions from the eighth –leg Singapore 7s, Shujaa were bundled out by Australia in the Plate semis in Paris as Samoa upset Fiji 29-24 to be crowned Cup winners.

Ayimba’s charges finished second in Pool A behind New Zealand after winning two matches against Portugal and Russia before losing to the All Blacks 7s for a date with the hosts in the Main Cup quarters.

Rallied by a passionate crowd, 10th placed France never disappointed in front of their home fans as they eclipsed Shujaa 24-5 before Australia ended their run with a 26-7 defeat in the Plate semis.

Kenya started well in the group stages winning two group matches against Portugal and Russia by 24-14 and 22-7 but agonisingly went down 19-17 to New Zealand at the death to book their place in the Main Cup quarter finals.

Shujaa found themselves trailing by 21-0 at half time against Australia in the plate semi finals, leaving Shujaa with a mountain to climb. A try by Billy Odhiambo converted by speedster Collins Injera in the eighth minute is all Kenya could manage in a game that they lost 26-7.

In their match against the host who finished third in the ninth round, Kenya only got one try from Odhiambo in the fifth minute with Samuel Oliech missing the conversion in what has become the story for Ayimba’s side.

Kenya travel to England on Monday for the London 7s where they will face Portugal, France and Scotland in Pool C; getting a quick chance to earn revenge against the last hosts.

Their opening match will be on Friday at 11.52 am local time (+3GMT) against Portugal in Twickenham, London.

Shujaa best tally in the series came in 2012-13 when Friday who is now in charge of USA led the team to fifth, which was also their highest finish.