NAIROBI Cheap Houston Astros T-Shirts , Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Mike Friday, the immediate former Kenya Sevens head coach, made fans to dream again of the country ruling the roost in the shorter version of the rugby sport.
However, as the country prepares to start its campaign at the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Series 2013-2014 season in Gold Coast, Australia next week Cheap Astros Pullover Hoodies , more questions than answers are emerging if at all Kenya dropped one of the biggest clangers in choice of their coach to guide the team.
Felix Ochieng, will be the interim coach to lead Kenya in the first leg in Gold Coast. He steps in the shadows of his superior, a man he served as an understudy during their one-year tenure.
He proved his mettle when he led Kenya to retain the Safaricom Sevens title in Nairobi last month against stiff challenge from foreign countries.
"Despite recent success, I have to say that the main challenge lies ahead. The IRB World Series will be intolerant and is a very tough tournament where one has to be very consistent in attack and defence," said Ochieng.
"I have selected an experienced squad and will be looking for the best results. The team of course is carrying on with a few injuries after last season brilliant play. Our challenge has on how to limit and manage fatigue and injuries Custom Houston Astros Jerseys ," Ochieng said.
He says the answer is to look at the depth of the bench and have belief that any player coming in will have the same impact of not better that whoever leaves because of injury or other commitments.
"The World series is a journey, which starts with just a singe step and that is Gold Coast. The goal is to ensure we are in it for the long run, consistently chalking up points and looking for that elusive cup win.
"We are in a time of transition with regards to the management structure and, as we are aware, this is the time when we have to rally and be patient. The players are committed to representing the nation to the best of its ability Cheap Houston Astros Jerseys ," added Ochieng.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the dates for the Sevens World Series, with another season set to kick off on Australia's Gold Coast and climax in London, England.
The 15th edition of the record-breaking Series will visit the same nine countries as in 201213, although there are two changes in the order of rounds.
The first three events at the end of 2013 remain unchanged with Australia's standing alone in October before the Dubai and South Africa double-header.
In 2014, the Series will visit the U.S. before New Zealand and then Japan before Hong Kong. The final two tournaments will again be in Scotland and England.
Under the tutelage of Friday J. R. Richard Astros Jersey , a former England international, Kenya wound up fourth in London, the last leg of the series taking 15 points behind winners New Zealand, Australia and England.
This brought Kenya's point tally to 99 after the conclusion of the series. Coach Friday had at the start of the IRB World Series set a 100 point mark for his team in November last year.
He missed the mark by just a point, but kept the country in its best ever ranking since the tournament was started in 1999.
Kenya ended up fifth in the overall IRB World Series standing with 99 points Carlos Lee Astros Jersey , behind winners New Zealand on 173, South Africa 132, Fiji 121 and Samoa 104.
Kenya went on to finish fourth at the Rugby Sevens World Cup in Moscow, in a tournament won by New Zealand ahead of England and Fiji.
Asked then if this was the strongest squad that Kenya has ever produced, Friday said he was not certain.
"I am not sure if this is the best team ever for Kenya. Of course we had Humphrey Kayange back in the team Roy Oswalt Astros Jersey , he is a pillar and the one that his colleagues wrap around in major games. There are other young players coming through the ranks and have impressed in the series.
"Of course the team is not perfect and we are working on our mistakes and the work is progressive. Moscow World Cup and the IRB World Series served the gauge to evaluate where Kenya have come so far," said Friday.
Alongside the World Cup, there is the 2016 Olympic Games, which Kenya intends to participate and then the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014. That is all long term.
But Kenya can't afford to sit back and relax after pulling out a great show in IRB World Series and World Cup.
The players are as good as their next match and with managerial transition Mike Scott Astros Jersey , fans must be ready for some disappointments heading into the start of a new IRB World Series in Gold Coast from October 12.
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "With its Olympic credentials boosting rugby's landscape around the world Rugby Sevens is growing all the time. We saw in London world record crowds of 71,898 on day one and 113,025 over the two days.
"Throughout the 201213 Series we have seen once again how rugby fans are supporting these magnificent events.
"As we continue our countdown to Rugby Sevens' Olympic debut in Rio in 2016, we are delighted to have nine such strong tournaments showcasing these world class athletes and the strength of competition between them.
"Our congratulations go to New Zealand on winning their 11th Series title, and to Scotland Jose Cruz Astros Jersey , Spain and Portugal for winning core team status for the 201314 Series, which is set to be more competitive than ever."
Back to the Kenya team, Ochieng in his care-taker role has put his trust in Mwamba's Daniel Sikuta is set to make his debut Sevens World Series at the Gold Coast Sevens.
The 20-year-old former football player will continue his remarkable rise since first appearing at the 2011 Kenya Secondary Schools Sevens championships, where he was voted Most Valuable Player.
Sikuta has been included alongside fellow youngster Billy Odhiambo, who first appeared last season under former coach Mike Friday.
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10.09.2018 11:51
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