Kenya 7s, also known as Shujaa, suffered a narrow 24-19 extra-time loss to France in their opening match of the Dubai Sevens, held at the Sevens Stadium.
The game ended 19-19 in regulation time before France sealed the win in extra time.
Kenya 7s return
This marked Shujaa’s return to the World Rugby Sevens Series after a season in the Challenger Series, where they earned promotion back to the top tier.
France, riding high after their recent success, showcased their improvement on the global stage.
Earlier in the year, they were crowned HSBC SVNS 2024 Champions following a 19-5 victory over Argentina in the final, denying the league winners a double triumph in Madrid.
A month later, France claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with Antoine Dupont scoring twice in their 28-7 win over Fiji.
In Dubai, France started strongly, with Gregoire Arfeuil touching down within the first two minutes. Paulin Riva converted to give them an early 7-0 lead.
Shujaa responded through captain George Ooro, who sprinted from his own 22 to score. Nygel Amaitsa’s conversion leveled the scores at 7-7 by halftime.
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Kenya took the lead for the first time early in the second half when speedster Patrick Odongo broke through to score his maiden World Rugby Sevens Series try. Amaitsa’s conversion put Shujaa ahead 14-7.
France struck back with two quick tries, first from Celian Pouzelgues and then Ali Dabo, to reclaim a 19-14 lead.
Shujaa fought valiantly, scoring a late try to level the game at 19-19 after Benson Salem kicked deep into France zone qns raced to score, but the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Kenya 7s knock on
Kenya had a chance to win it late on but were cost by a late knockon
In extra time, Dabo scored the decisive try, handing France the victory.
Kenya will now face South Africa in their second match of the tournament.
Results and Fixtures
Women’s Results
– Canada 5–40 Japan
– New Zealand 33–5 Brazil
– USA 26–15 Great Britain
– France 12–24 Spain
– Ireland 30–12 Fiji
– Australia 52–0 China
men
– New Zealand 28–12 USA
– Fiji 21–15 Spain
30 November 2024
Men’s Pool Matches
– Ireland 17-22 Great Britain (9:28 AM)
– Argentina vs Uruguay (9:28 AM)
– South Africa 17-0 Australia (9:50 AM)
– France 24-19 Kenya (9:50 AM)
Women’s Pool Matches
– Canada vs Brazil (10:15 AM)
– New Zealand vs Japan (10:37 AM)
– USA vs Spain (10:59 AM)
– France vs Great Britain (11:21 AM)
– Ireland vs China (11:43 AM)
– Australia vs Fiji (12:05 PM)
Men’s Pool Matches
– New Zealand vs Spain (12:30 PM)
– Fiji vs USA (12:52 PM)
– Ireland vs Uruguay (1:14 PM)
– Argentina vs Great Britain (1:36 PM)
– South Africa vs Kenya (1:58 PM)
– France vs Australia (2:20 PM)
Women’s Pool Matches
– Japan vs Brazil (2:45 PM)
– New Zealand vs Canada (3:07 PM)
– Great Britain vs Spain (3:29 PM)
– France vs USA (3:51 PM)
– Fiji vs China (4:13 PM)
– Australia vs Ireland (4:35 PM)
1 December 2024
Cup Quarter Finals – Women’s
– 8:20 AM
– 8:42 AM
– 9:04 AM
– 9:26 AM
Cup Quarter Finals – Men’s
– 9:48 AM
– 10:10 AM
– 10:32 AM
– 10:54 AM
Semi Finals and Play-Offs
– Women’s 9th Place Semi Final (12:00 PM)
– Women’s Cup Semi Finals (12:12 PM, 12:34 PM)
– Men’s 9th Place Semi Final (12:44 PM, 1:06 PM)
– Men’s Cup Semi Finals (1:06 PM, 1:28 PM)
– Women’s 7th Place Play-Off (1:58 PM)
– Men’s 7th Place Play-Off (2:20 PM)
– Women’s 11th Place Play-Off (3:10 PM)
– Men’s 11th Place Play-Off (3:32 PM)
– Women’s 5th Place Play-Off (3:44 PM)
– Men’s 5th Place Play-Off (4:06 PM)
– Women’s 9th Place Play-Off (3:54 PM)
– Men’s 9th Place Play-Off (4:16 PM)
Finals
– Women’s 3rd Place Play-Off (5:35 PM)
– Men’s 3rd Place Play-Off (6:03 PM)
– Women’s Cup Final (6:35 PM)
– Men’s Cup Final (7:11 PM)
