NAIROBI, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan Rugby senior players led by top try scorer Collins Injera have agreed to bury the hatchet and return to the national Sevens team ahead of the 2020 World Series.
This comes days after New Zealander Paul Feeney was named to guide the Kenyan team as they seek qualification to the Olympic Games and a good run in the World Series. Feeney will be helped by coach Kevin Wambua.
Injera, together with senior players Oscar Ouma, Samuel Oliech and Dennis Ombachi, are part of the 24-man squad that will be up for the fight in the Safari Sevens International tournament, which starts in Nairobi from Oct. 18-20.
The coach, however, has dropped Shadon Munoko, Mark Wandeto, Eliakim Kichoi, Cyprian Kuto, and Brian Wahinya despite them making most of the games last season under coach Paul Murunga.
"We have made some great improvements to our structures; we are working hard on our strengths as well as our individual skills. I believe we are on target to put out a great show during the Safari sevens," said Feeney.
14 teams have already confirmed their participation in this year's edition including defending champions Samurai, World Rugby Sevens Series core sides South Africa and Spain.
Other National sides that have confirmed their participation are Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia. Russia Academy, Kenya's B side Morans and KCB will also play.
Other high-quality teams participating include Western Province and Blue Bulls from South Africa. French and Russian 7s Circuit Champions Seventise Rugby and Narvskaya Zastava have confirmed their participation, as well as regulars International Invitational, sides Red Wailers.
The World Series starts in Dubai in November and Kenya will seek to improve on its ranking after finishing in position 14 last season.
There is also the small matter of the Africa Olympic qualification tournament, which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kenya will be joined by Zimbabwe, Uganda, Madagascar, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Namibia, Ghana, Botswana, Mauritius, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria.
The Africa 7s winners will qualify for Tokyo 2020 while runners up will head to global repechage for another chance to qualify for the Olympics.
