NAIROBI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Sevens captain Oscar Ayodi and Dennis Ombachi have passed fitness test and will fight for their place in the national team ahead of the tour of London and Paris for the final rounds of World Series.
Head coach Innocent Simiyu said he faces a selection headache with a full house as the team targets to peak with the last two rounds of World Series, which they will utilize as build up to the World Cup, which will be hosted in San Francisco, United States in July.
"It is good to have Ayodi and Ombachi back in training with us. Competition for playing time is high and everyone wants to play. This fight for position is good for the team as it will bring the best out of each player. The two bring on board experience, which is critical for us in Paris and London," Simiyu told Xinhua Saturday in Nairobi.
Kenya starts the ninth round of the Sevens World Series, the London Sevens, with a Pool C clash against the United States On June 2 before taking on France and hosts England.
Kenya had a target of reaching the 100 point mark in the ten-leg World Series and coach Simiyu is on course to surpass that mark.
With 93 points already in the bag, with two appearances in the main Cup finals in Vancouver and Hong Kong, Kenya need just seven points to hit their mark in the last two rounds remaining.
Ombachi sustained an injury during the Dubai Sevens but recovered to a point of being invited for Kenya 15s national team trials.
Ayodi on his side has recovered from the injury sustained at Cape Town 7s. The two players have featured already in their local team's assignment in the local league and will be a good addition to Kenya team.
However, Coach Simiyu will have to do without Artur Owira, who remains the only long-term absentee from an injury sustained at the Commonwealth Games in April. Owira broke his leg and had to undergo surgery in Australia.
The final team to the London and Paris Sevens tournaments will be named on Wednesday.
Coach Simiyu said any player left out of the Paris and London legs will still have a chance to compete for a slot ahead of the World Cup in San Francisco. The World Cup will be played on July 20.?
