KENYA IN RIO GROUP OF DEATH: National Sevens team faces tough nut at the Rio Olympics

Kenyan 7s rugby team President Uhuru Kenyatta making aline out with the Kenyan 7s rugby team when the visited him at State House Nairobi after their historic win in Singapore, The president promised them a reward of 10 million Kenyan shilling. Picture Maxwell Agwanda

The national Sevens team are in a tough pool after being drawn against former world champions New Zealand at the Rio Olympics.

In the same pool - Pool C - are Great Britain and Japan, making it one of the most competitive pools in the group matches.

National Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba said despite being in that pool they are determined to win the gold medal at the Rio Olympics in August.

“But we must first pass through the group stages and chart our way forward, a match at a time,” he said.

Ayimba said all the teams that have qualified for the Olympics are top teams and none should be underrated.

“All teams that have made it to the Olympics are powerhouses, but we are determined to beat them and win the gold medal,” Ayimba told Feverpitch in a telephone interview.

World champions Fiji are in Pool A with United States of America, Argentina and hosts Brazil.

Pool B has South Africa, Australia, France and Spain.

In the draws released by International Olympic Committee, the Kenya women rugby team have been grouped in Pool B with New Zealand, Spain and France.

Pool A has Australia, USA, Fiji, Colombia and Pool C Canada, Great Britain, Brazil and Japan.

The women’s competition runs from August 6-8 paving way for the men’s competition from August 9-11.

Meanwhile, Simbas’ Backs Coach Charles Ngovi has become the second Kenyan tactician to attain World Rugby’s Level 3 Coaching Certification.

The former Impala Saracens international that dominated the Kenya Cup between 2000 and 2002 attained the certification upon completion of his final course modules, facilitated by Rugby Afrique in Castres, France between May 30 - June 2.

Ngovi joins Chipu head coach Paul Odera in attaining the highest coaching certification from World Rugby.

 

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