Kenya Sevens Show Inconsistency in Cape Town Rugby 7s

By Priscilla Jepchumba

Kenya’s Sevens rugby squad, Shujaa, displayed their tenacity at the Cape Town Sevens, rebounding from an exhilarating win over Australia to endure the disappointment of a close defeat to Spain. Whether they can harness this tenacity to shift the momentum in upcoming tournaments remains uncertain.

Shujaa commenced their tournament with a bang, overcoming Australia 19-12 and avenging a prior loss at the Dubai Sevens. Initially, they faced challenges, trailing 12-0 in the first half due to tries by James Turner and Hayden Sargeant. Nevertheless, Kenya turned the game around with Kevin Wekesa scoring just before the half, and Nygel Amaitsa’s conversion sparked their comeback.

The pivotal moment arrived when they earned a penalty try after Dennis Abukuse was illegally tackled, enabling them to edge ahead at 14-12. A dynamic run from George Ooro capped off the match, showcasing the team’s ability to exploit their opponents’ errors. Coach Kevin Wambua commended the players, asserting, “The boys demonstrated remarkable character to rebound against a formidable team like Australia.”

Regrettably, their positive momentum did not translate into their subsequent match against Spain. Francisco Cosculluela opened the game’s scoring, putting Spain ahead 7-0 at halftime. Patrick Odongo later equalized with an impressive solo effort, yet despite some strong offensive play, Kenya squandered key scoring chances. A last-minute try from Jeremy Trevithick dashed their semifinal aspirations, with the match concluding at 14-7.

Shujaa’s experience in Cape Town followed a varied performance at the Dubai Sevens, where they ended in 10th place with two victories from five matches. They had notable highlights, such as defeating South Africa 22-17, but also were plagued by critical errors, especially during the pool stages.

Captain Samwel Asati emphasized the necessity for growth, recognizing both encouraging signs and aspects for enhancement: “The spirit is present, but we need to refine our decision-making when under pressure.” Wambua echoed these thoughts, emphasizing the need for consistency: “We’ve displayed our potential, but it’s essential to achieve that performance level consistently.”

As Shujaa incorporates younger members into their roster, emerging talents like Odongo and Ooro inspire hope for what lies ahead. Their journey in Cape Town had its highs and lows, but the team’s eagerness to compete at an elite level is evident.

With numerous matches still ahead this season, Shujaa must fine-tune their strategies and elevate their overall play to safeguard against relegation risks and reclaim their position as formidable contenders in Sevens rugby.