NEWS

Safari 7s semi-final pairings

By Amanga collins

Posted on November 19, 2023

Uganda Sevens. Photo Courtesy/Uganda Rugby.

Semi-final pairing for the Safari 7s Tournament going on at the RFUEA Grounds have been confirmed with four sides still in the race for the title.

The first semi-final will see 2018 Champions Samurai take on former Africa 7s Champions Uganda at 12:02pm. The second semi-final will see defending Champions Kenya 7s take on Germany in what will be a repeat of the 2021 final.

Kenya Morans are set to face Tropic 7s while Red Wailers have booked KCB in the fifth-place semis.

How team qualified for Safari 7s Semis

Kenya 7s topped pool A of the Safari 7s, beating Red Wailers 34-7 in the final Pool match played on Sunday morning at RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.

Co-captain Vincent Onyala initiated the scoring with an opening try, although the conversion attempt went wide. Fellow co-captain Tony Omondi extended the lead with another try, putting Kenya 7s ahead 10-0.Kevin Wekesa sealed the first-half performance with a converted try, securing a 17-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Red Wailers made a comeback, but Shujaa responded with their fourth try through Onyala. Brian Mutugi and Festus Shiasi added to the scoresheet, sealing a comprehensive 34-7 victory.

With this win, Kenya 7s secured their place in the semifinals as the pool winners, amassing 12 points and an impressive point differential of 101 points.

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Joining Kenya in the semifinals is Uganda, who secured second place in the pool with 10 points after defeating Tropic 7s. Red Wailers advanced to the fifth-place playoff semis with eight points, while Tropic 7s earned six points, and SA All Stars finished with just four points.

Safari 7s Pool B decider

In Pool B, both KCB and Morans missed out on the semifinals. The Kenya Morans were eliminated after a narrow 15-14 loss to Germany. Despite a strong start and a try from Chrissant Ojwang, Germany pulled ahead for a 15-7 lead at halftime.

Although Morans fought back with a try from Benson Salem in the second half, they couldn’t capitalize on a late penalty, and Germany held on for the win.

Samurai emerged as the Pool B winners with 10 points and a superior point differential of 33. Germany secured the second spot with 10 points and a point differential of 26. Morans finished third in the pool with eight points, while KCB settled for fourth, also with eight points.