Defending champions Shujaa were the only team to collect maximum points at the 2024 Safari 7s, defeating Zimbabwe 19-14 in a thrilling Pool A decider on Saturday at Machakos Stadium.
Shujaa started brightly, with flyer Patrick Odongo using his pace to outmanoeuvre several defenders and score the opening try for a 5-0 lead.
Shujaa tries in Safari 7s
Samuel Asati then set up William Mwanji, who powered through the Zimbabwean defence and dived over to extend the lead further.
Zimbabwe fought back, scoring just before halftime and adding another try early in the second half to take a 14-12 lead.
However, Odongo proved unstoppable, slipping past defenders to score a crucial centre-post try that secured Shujaa’s 19-14 victory, ensuring they finished at the top of Pool A.
Amon Wamalwa in action for Kenya Morans in the 2024 Safari 7s. PHOTO/Mahlon Lichuma
Kenya Morans returned to winning ways, defeating Uganda 14-0 in their final group match.
Harmony Wamalwa opened the scoring after receiving a brilliant offload from Brian Ondego, dotting down under the posts for a converted try.
In the second half, Ondego found a gap in Uganda’s defence and crossed over for the second try, securing a 14-0 victory. Despite Uganda’s efforts to fight back, the Morans remained solid in defence to keep a clean sheet.
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Kenya Harlequin continued their fine form on Saturday, ending the day with a hard-fought win over Red Wailers.
The Wailers, coming off back-to-back losses, started strongly and scored the first try for a 5-0 lead. However, Wiseman Aganya responded for Quins with a try, converted to give them a 7-5 advantage.
Brian Ratilla came close to scoring but was tackled just short of the line, setting up Charles Kinyanjui to finish the move with a try.
In the second half, the Wailers grabbed another try to close the gap, but Leeon Nyang raced clear to score the final try, securing Quins’ victory.
Kenya’s Benson Salem against Mauritius in Africa Men’s 7s. PHOTO/Mauritius.Rugby
Kenya Varsity Select struck first through Meja Mulongo, but Lions Rugby mounted a dominant comeback, scoring four unanswered tries to seal a 24-7 win.
The victory capped a strong performance for Lions, bouncing back after an earlier defeat, and leaves Varsity Select still searching for their first win in the tournament.
Safari 7s results
Friday, 11 October 2024
2:00 PM – Shogun Rugby 26-0 Kenya Harlequins
2:22 PM – Red Wailers 14-12 Kenya Morans
2:44 PM – Qatar 0-38 Lions Rugby
3:06 PM – Varsity Select 7-21 Zimbabwe
3:28 PM – (Ladies) Shogun vs Uganda
3:50 PM – (Ladies) Uganda 2 vs Kenya Lionesses
4:12 PM – (Ladies) Costa Blanca Barbarians vs Kenya Cubs
4:34 PM – Shogun Rugby 31-7 Red Wailers
4:56 PM – Kenya Harlequin 10-7 Uganda
5:18 PM – Qatar 0-38 Varsity Select
5:40 PM – Lions Rugby 14-24 Kenya Shujaa
Day two Saturday, 12 October 2024)
Day 2
9:00 AM – (Ladies) Kenya Lionesses vs Shogun Rugby
9:22 AM – (Ladies) Kenya Cubs vs Uganda
9:44 AM – (Ladies) Costa Blanca Barbarians vs Uganda 2
10:06 AM – Kenya Harlequins 0-14 Kenya Morans
10:28 AM – Shogun Rugby 12-7 Uganda
10:50 AM – Lions Rugby 7-19 Zimbabwe
11:12 AM – Qatar 0-40 Kenya Shujaa
12:00 PM – (Ladies) Shogun vs Kenya Cubs
12:22 PM – (Ladies) Kenya Lionesses vs Costa Blanca Barbarians
12:44 PM – (Ladies) Uganda vs Uganda 2
1:06 PM – Uganda 19-14 Red Wailers
1:28 PM – Kenya Morans 19-19 Shogun Rugby
1:50 PM – Kenya Shujaa 44-0 Varsity Select
2:12 PM – Zimbabwe 53-0 Qatar
3:00 PM: (Ladies) Costa Blanca Barbarians vs Shogun Rugby
3:22 PM: (Ladies) Uganda 2 vs Kenya Cubs
3:44 PM: (Ladies) Uganda vs Kenya Lionesses
4:06 PM: Red Wailers 10-17 Kenya Harlequins
4:28 PM: Varsity Select 7-24 Lions Rugby
4:50 PM: Uganda 0-14Kenya Morans
5:12 PM: Kenya Shujaa 19-14 Zimbabwe
