Shujaa secured their third consecutive Safari 7s title with a hard-fought 12-0 win over Shogun Rugby at Machakos Stadium, adding to titles won in 2021, 2023, and now 2024.
This triumph marks a repeat of the 2023 final, where Shujaa beat Shogun (then known as Samurai) 19-0. Shujaa’s victory also sees them achieve the first treble since 2008-2010.
Shujaa Safari 7s success
This was the fifth final between the two sides, and the match was tightly contested from the outset.
Both sides struggled to break the deadlock in the first half. George Ooro came close for Shujaa, but he failed to ground the ball. Shujaa’s attack looked promising on several occasions, but penalties in critical moments denied them a chance to score, resulting in a 0-0 stalemate at halftime.
Brian Ondego releases the ball in Safari 7S. PHOTO/Mahlon Lichuma
Shujaa finally found the breakthrough in the second half when Samuel Asati pounced on a loose ball off the scrum passed to Dennis Abukuse. Abukuse set up Patrick Odongo, who sprinted clear to score the opening try.
However, Odongo was later shown a yellow card for tackling without the ball, leaving Shujaa temporarily down to six players. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Shujaa held firm and extended their lead.
Asati played a crucial role again, setting up Benson Salem for a decisive try that sealed the 12-0 victory and completed their three-peat.
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The Kenya Morans avenged recent losses to the Zimbabwe Cheetahs at the All Africa Games and Africa Men’s 7s, cruising to a 26-5 win to claim third place.
Morans dominated the first half, leading 19-0 at the break. Their opener came through Floydd Wabwire, who scored after a quick shift to the unmarked wing. Wabwire doubled the lead with another try to put them 12-0 up.
A critical mistake from Zimbabwe allowed Festus Shiasi to claim a loose restart, racing clear for a try, which was converted for a 19-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Zimbabwe found some rhythm, with Carlos Matematema combining with Moyo Kholwani for a try, making it 19-5.
Andrew Odhiambo in action against Shujaa in Safari 7s. PHOTO/Mahlon Lichuma
However, Wabwire returned the favor to Shiasi, setting him up to complete his brace. The try was converted, sealing the 26-5 win for Morans.
Kenya Harlequin wrapped up their campaign with a loss to Lions, finishing sixth in the competition.
Safari 7s results
Cup quarters
Shogun Rugby 31-14 Varsity Select
Zimbabwe 22-10 Kenya Harlequins
Kenya Morans 19-17 Lions Rugby
Kenya Shujaa 27-12 Uganda
Semis
Kenya Varsity select 5-29 Kenya Harlequin
Lions Rugby 15-12 Uganda
Women Ladies
Rank 1 vs Rank 4 – 13:16
Rank 3 vs Rank 2 – 13:39
Cup semis
Shogun 34-14 Zimbabwe
Kenya Morans 21-19 Shujaa
Finals
Rank 5 vs Rank 6 – 15:00
Kenya Harlequin 7-38 Lions – 15:23
Loser Ladies Semis 1 vs Loser Ladies Semis 2 – 15:46
Zimbabwe 5-26 Morans – 16:09
Cup final
Barbarians vs Kenya Lionesses – 16:32
Shogun 0-12 Shujaa– 16:55
