This year’s tournament doubles up as the African Qualification Tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Kenya grouped in Pool B alongside Zambia, Namiba and Nigeria.
Pool A features South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia and Ivory Coast with Pool C comprising of Uganda, hosts Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Algeria.
Kenya will be seeking to reclaim the Africa 7s title and book Paris Olympics ticket but the hard nut to crack will be South Africa after they failed to finish amongst the top four in the 2022-2023 World Sevens Series season to book an automatic qualification.
South Africa finished seventh as New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and France finished 1-4 respectively to book automatic slot with Australia joining them for finishing fifth courtesy of France earning a bye by being the hosts.
The second and third placed teams progress to the 2024 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Majority of the players are new with Billy Odhiambo, Vincent Onyala, Herman Humwa and Daniel Taabu only seasoned players retained.
Brian Tanga, Amon Wamalwa and Mwamba’s Tony Omondi, who have featured in the HSBC Sevens World Series before, have also been drafted in the squad.
National Wide side Daystar Falcons has produced three players; Samuel Ovwamu, Floyd Wabwire and Patrick Odongo, who will be hoping to catch the attention of head coach Kevin Wambua to make the final selection.
-Kenya 7s Provisional Squad:-
Brian Tanga, Kevin Wekesa, William Mwanjii, Lamech Ambesta (Kabras Sugar), George Ooro, Barnabas Owuor, Brunson Madigu, Nigel Amaitsa, Victor Odhiambo (Strathmore Leos), Austin Sikutwa, Vincent Onyala, Elvis Olukusi, Samuel Asati, Festus Shiasi (KCB), Samuel Ovwamu, Floyd Wabwire, Patrick Odongo (Daystar Falcons), Brian Mutugi, Stephen Sikuta, Ronnie Omondi, Tony Omondi, Daniel Taabu, Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), John Okoth, Beldad Ogeta, Steve Arunga, Dennis Abukuse (Menengai Oilers), Felix Makokha, Herman Humwa, Amon Wamalwa, Paul Mutsami, David Mwangi (Kenya Harlequin), Chrisant Ojwang (Nakuru), Fidens Tony (Nondescripts), Brian Mutua (Homeboyz)