NAIROBI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya head coach Japheth Munala has warned his side not to focus on past glories, but target conquering new frontiers as they line up among the 24 teams for the World Championships in Japan, which starts from Sept. 29 to Oct. 20.
Kenya is returning to the World Championships after eight years, but Munala says this does not take the gloss off their shinny amour and warned the underdog status will play well to their advantage as they come up against experienced giants.
"It is easy to target to claim maximum points against us. But we know our game and we will dig deep to claim a few scalps," said Munala Thursday in Nairobi. "Underrate us at your own peril, because we qualified by merit."
The Kenyan contingent of 20, 14 players and six officials, jet out Thursday for Japan and the coach says they are nearing their peak form.
"The squad has gone through training well and we are all ready to ramble. There were two injury concerns for our setter Jane Wacu and Leonida Kasaya. But both have shaken off their problems and they are ready for the action," he added.
Kenya is the second team from Africa with their other colleagues being Cameroon. The team is targeting to finish in the top four positions in their pool to qualify for the second round matches and remain on course to claim a shot at the Main Cup title.
Kenya is in Pool D alongside former champions Brazil, Serbia, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan.
"We are set for the championship and the underdog tag will help us triumph in Japan. At least I will only be focusing on the second round and once I achieve that then we can think of winning the title. Kenya is parading a young team and we are not afraid to challenge the giants and carve our own niche," said Munala.
Former Kenyan coach Sadatoshi Sugawara from japan has organized for the team some build up matches against local teams to help the team remain focused and sharp ahead of the tournament, which starts on Sept 29.
Kenya's first game will be against Kazakhstan on Sept 29 before confronting Serbia a day later. They will then face Puerto Rico, Brazil and the Dominican Republic in other preliminary matches.
