Kenya coach Ian Snook has made a few changes to his national team ahead of Saturday's away game against Morocco as he seeks a victorious start to the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup tournament, whose winners will automatically qualify for next year's Rugby World Cup.
Two-time continental champions Kenya have finished runners-up to Namibia over the last two editions, and Snook is looking to win the pool outright this time around.
Such lofty ambitions demand victories in places like Morocco, though, and Snook told a media conference on Wednesday that his team was in prime condition to produce on Saturday.
"Morocco is a big, strong, physical side ... [but] we have always felt confident ever since we came. The boys have been training hard and we are feeling confident that if we play as we have been training, we are in with a good shot," Snook said.
Morocco, who secured promotion to the elite group after winning the Silver Cup last year, started their campaign with a credible 23-23 away draw with Zimbabwe last Saturday.
Snook has switched talisman Darwin Mukidza from the wing to flyhalf while Phillip Ikambili moves from hooker to opensider.
"We have gone for experience and have seen Darwin play at flyhalf a few times. We like the way he controls things. He has got a bit more control over what's going on around him and [we] have decided to play him there with Biko [Adema] at fullback ... we could easily change if need be."
U20 international Edmund Anya will make his senior bow at wing, joining Xavier Kipng'etich in successfully transitioning. Snook is excited about the young man's potential.
"Anya is a really exciting player. He is a back-three player with lots of pace and talent. We are pretty excited about what he has to offer. It is obviously a very big first game for him, but we think that he can perform at this level. We see him as one of the future stars of Kenya rugby."
In total, Snook has included five uncapped players in a squad without Jacob Ojee, Martin Owilah, Vincent Mose and Isaac Adimo, who are unavailable due to academic and work commitments. After Saturday's visit to Morocco, Kenya will host Zimbabwe in a potentially explosive showdown next week.
In the other Rugby Africa Gold Cup match this weekend, favourites Namibia will look to make it two wins in a row when they host Tunisia in Windhoek.
Namibia, who have qualified for each of the last five World Cups, opened their campaign with a thumping 55-6 home win over Uganda.