Kenya Sevens skipper Nelson Oyoo has rallied his side ahead of the pivotal Singapore Sevens this weekend.

Shujaa were once again left red-faced after picking up a solitary point from the Hong Kong Sevens over the weekend.

This has left them 13th on the log with 30 points with three tournaments to go before the end of the season.

Shujaa face France, USA and Uruguay in Pool C and the Nakuru RFC winger thinks the pool is favourable.

He said he believes the team can make use of the opportunity to qualify for a maiden cup quarterfinal slot. 

“It's a tricky pool but from our side, it's winnable and we believe we can go all out and be in the last eight,” added Oyoo. 

He said they will have to improve on their start to matches, having struggled in Hong Kong.

In matches against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa, Shujaa were trailing 19-0 and the captain said they have to improve their starts to matches.

"We had very slow starts to our fixtures and we can't afford that in Singapore," he cautioned. 

Head coach Damian McGrath said they have to improve on decision-making and defence heading into Singapore.

“Our decision-making was not good in Hong Kong at times.  We decided to kick possession away while it would have been better if we kept the ball in hand so as to stretch the defense. I believe our defence e on the wings will have to be better going forward," he noted. 

The Englishman was encouraged by the performance of forward Jeff Oluoch, who was playing in his first Sevens tournament in almost a year.

“He did okay and I believe he will get better with more matches under his belt and the leadership he brings to the side is good," he revealed.  Shujaa, Spain, Uruguay and Japan are in a relegation dogfight.

The 15th-placed core team based on accumulated series points after the 10th round in Toulouse will be relegated.

The 12th, 13th and 14th placed teams at the end of Toulouse will enter a four-team relegation play-off together with the 2023 Challenger Series winners at the 12th and final round of the Series in London.

The winner will become the 12th core team in the 2023/2024 Series, while the other three teams will enter their respective Regional Sevens Challenger Series.