Kenya Sevens' co-captain Samuel Asati in action at the Sao Paulo Sevens in Brazil/ HANDOUT 

Kenya Sevens co-captain Samuel Asati believes mental fortitude and improvement in basic core skills will be key as Shujaa prepare for the World Championship at the Hong Kong Sevens in a fortnight.

The team has limited time to prepare, having landed back in the country on Thursday and set to resume training tomorrow. They depart on April 12, but Asati said the mood in camp remains upbeat.

“Glad to have secured the qualification, but we have things to work on in the next week to ensure we are in the best shape for what is a big battle in Hong Kong,” noted Asati. The diminutive playmaker emphasised the need to sharpen defensive structures and individual execution.

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“We are facing the big teams in the competition, so our defensive skills organisation has to be spot-on and ensure we stay in the fight from the first minute to the last in what will be a competitive tournament,” added Asati.

Head coach Kevin Wambua struck a determined tone, acknowledging the step up in quality awaiting the side in the Far East. “Now, we are heading to Hong Kong, and we all know it’s on another level. We have to step up a notch higher, and we are willing and ready to do the work next week in camp,” Wambua said.

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He added, “We know we have to step up in terms of our non-negotiables and also individually and collectively, we need to step up a notch higher because where we are going, it’s not going to be easy. But we have the talent, we’ve done it before, and I’m pretty sure we can do it again.”

Shujaa face a daunting task in Pool C, where they will come up against heavyweights New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Wambua said the technical bench will focus on detailed analysis ahead of the tournament. “We will do a proper analysis on the three sides we are facing in the course of next week and come up with a solid game plan,” noted Wambua.

Shujaa need to finish in the top eight in Hong Kong, and in the final two tournaments in Valladolid in May and Bordeaux in June, to secure core status for the 2026–2027 season.