SAFARI 7S

Shujaa triumph over Lions, Quins pull off upset against Uganda in Safari 7s

By Amanga collins

Posted on October 11, 2024

Kenya 7s players hurdle in a past match. Photo/Screen grab

Kenya 7s first team, Shujaa, had an impressive start in Safari 7s, defeating the United Kingdom’s Lions Rugby 24-14 in their first and final match of the opening day of the tournament at Machakos Stadium.

In Shujaa’s first game, they earned three points by beating a Lions side that had previously won their opener 38-0. Shogun was the only team to secure two wins in as many matches.

Shujaa start in Safari 7s

The Kenya 7s squad, missing key players like Kevin Wekesa, Vincent Onyala, John Okoth, and Nygel Amatsa, began strong. Patrick Odongo found a gap off a ruck and raced through to score the opening try.

Shortly after, Odongo offloaded to Brian Mutua, who went over for a center-post try, converted for a 12-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, National 7s Circuit top try-scorer Dennis Abukuse extended the lead with another try. Alex Ribbon pulled one back for the Lions, making it 19-7.

Shujaa then furthered their lead when a Daniel Taabu switch set William Mwanji up for a try, converted for a 24-7 advantage. Lions captain Aaron Watkins closed the gap to 24-14 with a try off an offload from Jacob Ojee, but Shujaa held on for the win.

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Shogun secured their second win of the day, defeating Red Wailers 31-7. The Wailers, who had beaten Kenya Morans earlier, struggled with defensive lapses.

Jean Jacques Van Schalkwyk raced through for the first Shogun try, converted for a 7-0 lead. Alexander Odinga collected a loose ball from a kick-off to score, followed by a try from Nikolai Gilev for a 19-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, Conan Osborne added another try for Shogun before Bruce Odhiambo scored a consolation try for the Wailers. Shogun added an unconverted try to finish 31-7.

Shogun Rugby in a past event. They are expected for Safari 7s once again. PHOTO/Shogun/Fb

Shogun Rugby in a past event. They are currently unbeaten in Safari 7s once again. PHOTO/Shogun/Fb

Kenya Harlequin, despite missing key players Leonard Fogang, Amon Wamalwa (currently with Morans), and Richel Wangila (in the USA with Serengeti Elephants), bounced back to beat Emerging Uganda 10-7 after losing to Shogun earlier.

Lucky Dewald set up Jan Remke for the lone first-half try. Quins’ defense, including a try-saving tackle by Leeon Nyang, kept Uganda at bay.

In the second half, Dewald’s kick-and-chase try extended Quins’ lead to 10-0. Uganda’s Malcolm Oketch scored late, but it wasn’t enough as Quins held on for the win.

Varsity Select registered their first win of the tournament, thrashing Qatar 38-0, handing the Middle Eastern side their second consecutive loss by the same margin.

Clinton Amukwachi opened the scoring with a converted try, followed by Derrick Masese’s try for a 14-0 lead. Claude Nyamiro added a third try before Qatar was reduced to six men.

Elvis Otete capitalized on the advantage, and the Varsity Select further punished Qatar with tries from Amukwachi and Victor Omupere for a dominant 38-0 victory.