Fresh from making light work of their opponents in the preliminaries over the weekend, Nairobi Secondary School Sevens champions Upper Hill face Jamhuri, Our Lady of Fatima and Aquinas on Friday at Jamhuri School.
Upper Hill's assistant rugby coach Eustace Sifuna believes the boys can rise to the occasion, where the top two teams will qualify for the last eight.
"We are in a good position. The preliminaries went well but the hard work starts now. We have to be at the top of our game especially when we get to the quarterfinals," added Sifuna.
The holders made light work of the opposition in the first round, thrashing Aquinas 54-0, Eastleigh 68-0 and Dandora 54-0.
Last year's runner-up Lenana have a date with Garden Estate, Hospital Hill Embakasi Garrison in Pool B.
Lenana coach Nick Abok said his charges will need to intensify the physicality and tactical nous for the knockout phase.
“We are getting to the crucial stage and we must come up with new tweaks. I believe the boys have enough in the tank to get the job done,” said Abok.
Lenana were equally impressive in the preliminaries, thrashing Kangemi High 76-0, Sunshine Secondary 45-0 and Drumvale 65-0 to top the pool.
Nairobi School are in Pool A and take on Mutuini, Moi Forces Academy and Kibukosya Secondary. They finished the pool stages unbeaten with wins over Muhuri Muchiri, Embakasi and Dagoretti Mixed.
Former champions Ofafa Jericho0 are in Pool D and will battle it out with Dagoreti School, Sunshine and Ushirika.
Nairobi will be represented by two teams at the National Term Two ball games slated for Kisii later this month.
