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Shujaa head coach Damian McGrath says Shujaa is capable of greater exploits in Cape Town Sevens despite the off-field issues that the team is facing currently.

The seven-aside rugby players who have gone for four months without pay are heading to another tough Pool C clash.

 Kenya who finished 12th in Dubai to collect five points to rise a place on the standings will now play New Zealand, Argentina and Spain.

“Dubai was a tough assignment for the team given the off-field issues that are occurring and the incredibly tough group we were placed in.

“The two draws against Australia and Great Britain showed a glimpse of what the team is capable of doing. The only disappointment of the group stage was a defeat to South Africa but given that they went on to win the title it was not too hard to take. We comfortably beat Canada and we’re just pipped in a thrilling game against Fiji, which we could easily have edged at the end.

“A reflection of our luck at the moment saw us placed in another tough group in Cape Town, with New Zealand, Argentina and Spain. The staff and players will continue to work hard despite still having received no salaries for almost four months now,” Shujaa’s head coach told People Sports after their final clash with Fiji.

New season

Coach Damian McGrath’s side only lost two of their five fixtures where Kenya finally got to win their first win of the new season after Herman Humwa, Billy Odhiambo and Kevin Wekesa gave the tactician a moment to breathe thanks to a 17-7 win over Canada in the ninth place quarterfinal played on Saturday morning.Coach McGrath’s forces will now be onslaught for maximum points against the three pool rivals. They are all ranked above Kenya led by 13th-placed Spain who collected three points in Dubai and the tied duo of Argentina and Dubai.

Shujaa´s focus is now on finishing the year on high with a possibility of climbing into the top ten since the immediate log rivals are within reach, supported by the improved performance that saw Kenya stand up against higher-ranked teams and old foes at different capacities including Hong Kong sevens champs Australia, Hong Kong runners up Fiji, continental rivals South Africa, Great Britain and Canada.

Despite Kenya scraping just a win in five matches, two stalemates against the Australia who won the series opening match in Hong Kong and Great Britain, the merger of England, Wales and Scotland was a pure demonstration of muscle and regained form.

In Hong Kong, Kenya gave South Africa who became the eventual winners, one unforgettable returning half where Kenya scored more points.

After the win over Canada, Kenya was headed to bag the second win of the competition against Fiji where three decisive conversions by the Fijians earned them a comeback 21-17 win after both sides had scored three tries each in a nervy clash Shujaa lost a 17-7 half time lead to lose 21-17.

  Shujaa kicked off their campaign by holding Australia to a 19-19 stalemate that was celebrated by the Aussies.

The sole loss at the group stages to South Africa was courtesy of a bad kickoff and a tough opening half where Kenya was trailing 17-0 at half time but the second half fighting spirit by Kenya disclosed Shujaa as the better side owing to scoring 12 points as the Blitzboks managed 10 to end the match 27-12.

The second day of the Dubai competition was kicked off with the right attitude and Kenya clawed Canada to advance to the 9th place semifinals where Kenya was eliminated by Fiji who advanced to meet a formidable series debutant Uruguay who upset Great Britain in the other 9th place semi-final.