NEWS

Kenya 7s whip Zimbabwe to reach Africa Men’s 7s final

By Amanga collins

Posted on September 17, 2023

Kenya 7s secured a resounding 35-10 victory over the host team, the Zimbabwe Cheetahs to reach the Africa Men’s 7s final, putting them just 14 minutes away from Olympic qualification.

Both Kenya 7s and Zimbabwe Cheetahs entered this crucial match unbeaten in the tournament.

Kenya 7s winning streak

Kenya had triumphed in all their previous matches, while Zimbabwe had won three and drawn one.

The game took a decisive turn when Zimbabwe fumbled the ball deep inside Kenya 7s’ five-meter line. Seizing the opportunity, Kenya’s Samuel Asati quickly turned defence into an electrifying attack, releasing a precise pass to Patrick Odong, who sprinted an astonishing distance from his own 22 to score a remarkable try.

Capitalizing on Zimbabwe’s handling errors, Kenya 7s extended their lead when Nygel Amaitsa exploited another mistake, crossing the try line for Kenya. Tony Omondi’s successful conversion pushed Kenya’s lead to 14-7.

Zimbabwe responded with a superb display of skill, as Ryan Musumhi landed a try right under the posts, narrowing the scoreline to 14-5.

Before halftime, John Okoth powered his way through Zimbabwe’s defense to score Kenya’s third try, giving them a comfortable 21-5 lead after the conversion.

The Cheetahs fought back with determination, scoring their second try through an impressive play. However, Kenya’s Okoth showcased his agility with a brilliant change of direction that left his marker trailing, resulting in a centre-post try. The conversion extended Kenya’s lead to 28-10.

Kenya 7s sealed their victory with a beautiful display of support play, culminating in a final try scored by George Ooro. The conversion was successful, securing a commanding 35-10 win.

Kenya will face winner of Uganda and South Africa match.