Kenya Sevens experienced a rollercoaster of performances on Saturday as they commenced their Africa Sevens title defense in Mauritius.
The young Shujaa squad showcased both brilliance and vulnerability, underscored by their fluctuating form throughout the preliminary stages.
Despite crossing the whitewash 12 times in the group stage, Kenya’s Achilles’ heel was their conversion rate, a weakness that haunted them in their final pool match.
They opened their campaign with a resounding 40-0 victory over hosts Mauritius, followed by a 25-0 win against Nigeria, but were handed a sobering 7-5 defeat by Madagascar in their final pool match.
The opening game saw the return of Shujaa star Edmund Anya and Benson Salem, both scoring twice to propel Kenya to a commanding 40-0 win over Mauritius.
Anya, who made his comeback since Kenya’s relegation from the World Rugby Sevens Series, got the East Africans off to a perfect start with a try that unfortunately went unconverted. Dennis Abukuse, another returning player, doubled the lead with a break on the left side, making it 12-0.
Captain Salem further extended Kenya’s lead with a quick tap-and-go penalty try, taking the score to 19-0 at halftime. In the second half, Elvis Olukusi added a center-post try, followed by Anya’s second try, showcasing his speed and agility. Salem completed the rout with his second try, sealing a 40-0 victory for Kenya.
Elsewhere in the tournament, South Africa’s Blitzboks defeated Zambia 31-7, Zimbabwe overwhelmed Algeria 52-0, Burkina Faso humbled Tunisia 24-10, Madagascar trounced Nigeria 36-14, and Uganda came from behind to edge out Ivory Coast 22-17.
In their second match, Kenya again displayed their attacking prowess with five unconverted tries for a 25-0 win over Nigeria, ensuring their qualification for the quarterfinals. Anya and Salem led the charge with two tries, giving Shujaa a 10-0 lead at halftime, while Abukuse, Salem, and Amon Wamalwa completed the scoring in the second half.
However, the final match against Madagascar exposed Kenya’s conversion struggles. Joel Inzuga scored a try near the posts but missed the conversion, leaving Kenya with a slender 5-0 lead at halftime. Madagascar responded with a converted try in the second half, securing a 7-5 victory and topping Group A, while Kenya settled for second place.
As Kenya moves into the quarterfinals, they will need to address their conversion issues to continue their title defense successfully. The mixed results highlight the need for consistency and resilience as they aim to retain their Africa Sevens crown.
