•Kenya are in Group B where they face Zambia, Namibia, and Nigeria.
•Zimbabwe and Uganda headline pool C alongside Burkina Faso and Algeria.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Shujaa will undertake a four-day training camp in Nakuru from Wednesday as they intensify preparations for the Africa Cup-cum-Olympic qualifiers slated for next month in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Speaking Tuesday, head coach Kevin Wambua said the camp will be used to address certain facets of play as well as improve the culture of the team.
“We have a four-day training camp at Turi in Nakuru to address certain facets of play in our attack, defence and setpiece. It will be a residential camp as well as team bonding exercise. We will be looking to inculcate the team culture and ethos which we believe has been eroded in the last couple of years," said Wambua.
The Mwamba tactician added that, after the camp, 10 players will be released from the training squad to feature for their clubs at the Tisap Sevens in Eldoret.
The team will then be whittled to 18 before a final 13-man squad is named in the first week of September.
"This camp will be intense and the players have to put up their hands for selection. Those who will be released to their clubs will still be monitored," added Wambua.
At the camp, Wambua said, they will play build-up matches against Uganda Select and Menengai Oilers to test their strategies and systems," he said.
"We have lined up these matches just to see where we are... our strengths and weaknesses and the matches will be ideal preparation for the qualifiers," said Wambua
Wambua, who has had previous coaching spells with Laiser Hill and the Lionesses, said the ultimate target will be to get Shujaa back to the World Sevens Series next season.
"The reason we have a big squad is to have a second team — Morans — play in invitational tournaments as well as act as a feeder to Shujaa in the long term. If we return to the Seven series, we will need depth," he said.
"The attitude of the boys has been 100 percent and the hard work they have put in in training has been exemplary. They know what is at stake as we look at regaining our position among the elite."
Kenya are in Group 'B' of the African qualifiers where they face Zambia, Namibia and Nigeria.
Powerhouses South Africa, who are playing in the Olympic qualifiers for the first time, headline Pool' A' where they face Madagascar, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia.
Uganda are in Pool 'C' alongside Burkina Faso, Algeria and Zimbabwe.