NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's national rugby sevens team is targeting Samoa and Australia scalps in its bid to make the quarterfinals of the second leg of the 2019-20 World Rugby Sevens Series in Cape Town, South Africa.
Rugby Union (KRU) director of squads Ray Olendo said though the team has two key players missing after picking injuries, they still have a formidable squad to challenge for the trophy and hope to claim the scalps of giants Australia and Samoa to make the final eight.
"The confidence is growing after the first hurdle was jumped in Dubai. There is a growing feeling of belonging in the team as they come to terms with the demands of the World Series. The team feels stronger and believe they can beat Samoa or Australia," said Olendo on Tuesday.
Kenya has been pooled with Samoa, Australia and Ireland in Group D of the Cape Town Sevens.
The trip to Cape Town comes just a week after Kenya finished 13th at the Dubai Sevens, the first stop on the 10-leg circuit, where they lost to South Africa (17-12), England (12-5) and Spain (22-19) in the pool stage.
Olendo also confirmed that coach Paul Feeney will be without the service of center Oscar Dennis, who is nursing a fractured cheekbone he picked up in Dubai. Feeney is also yet to decide if he will recall Geoffrey Okwach or stick with the players at his disposal in South Africa.
Pool D will kick-off the men's competition on Friday with the opening match between Australia and new core team Ireland.
