Njoroge said the tournament provides the youngsters with an opportunity to stake their place in the team by continuing the bankers’ dominant run in the National Sevens Circuit (NSC).

“Not really (whether absence of key players will affect performance at Tisap 7s) because KCB has many players…both younger and experienced. In the past, we have always had players going into the national team and this has never changed the result for KCB whatsoever the composition of the team,” Njoroge said.

He added: “It is just a huge morale booster to the players who are back at home…in the team. To be able to fit in the shoes that are left by the other players and basically get a win for KCB and at the end of it all…win the circuit.”

Key cog in the bankers’ engine who will missing in action over the weekend at the Eldoret Sports Club include captain Vincent Onyala, Austin Shikutwa, Festus Shiasi, Samuel Asati and Elvis Olukusi.

KCB lie second on the NSC log with 78 points, two behind leaders Kabras Sugar who have so far clinched the Driftwood and Prinsloo Sevens, with the bankers triumphing in Kisumu and Nairobi at the Dala and Christie Sevens respectively.

Njoroge said they will take it one game at a time in Eldoret even as they pile pressure on the sugar millers in their quest for a fourth NSC title.

“After Christie we went back to the drawing board. Yes we saw that we are behind by only two points and we are working to win one game at a time. We have no pressure seeing where we are on the table. We just want to keep our heads high and focus on the bigger goal, which is to win the circuit,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by backs coach Mariko Mshila who pointed out that the circuit is a marathon that requires tact and patience from the bankers.

“Behind two points behind Kabras…of course, we are looking to clinch it but we are also taking it one game at a time. Yes, we are looking at the end result…the marathon…but this sprint has to begin with one game,” Mshila said.

He further waxed lyrical about how the bankers have scaled heights in different aspects of their play.

“Our defence has been really clinical and our attack has been relentless. The preps have been good. I know we have a good team. We are going to give it our all and hope for the best results,” he said.

KCB will kick off their campaign in Eldoret with a duel with two-time NSC champions Homeboyz in their first encounter of Pool A before battling Kenyatta University Blak Blad and Mombasa RFC.