Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, the Morans, is set to renew their rivalry with Zimbabwe in the Africa Men’s 7s quarterfinals on Sunday.
Despite experiencing mixed results in their Group B preliminary stages, the Morans advanced to the last eight, displaying moments of brilliance and resilience.
The Morans began their campaign with a commanding 26-7 victory over Zambia. Amon Wamalwa was instrumental in this win, scoring two consecutive tries that set the tone for the match.
Victor Odhiambo added another try, ensuring Kenya led 19-0 at halftime. The Morans then added one more converted try in the second half to secure a solid 26-7 win.
Their final match, however, proved more challenging. In a thrilling encounter against Madagascar, the game extended into sudden death. Despite their best efforts, the Morans fell short, losing 24-19. This loss, though disappointing, did not deter Kenya’s progress to the quarterfinals, as they had already secured enough points to advance.
In their second Group B match, Kenya delivered an emphatic performance against Algeria, securing a 47-0 victory. The Morans dominated from the start, with Amon Wamalwa opening the scoring by dotting down in the left corner after picking up the ball from the back of the scrum and racing to score.
Gabriel Ayimba soon added the second try, showcasing his strength by wrestling past his markers, and Denis Mwanji converted to make it 12-0. William Mwanji extended the lead, breaching the defense line and scoring the third try after cleverly changing direction to spot a gap. Abukuse’s conversion brought the score to 19-0.
From the restart, Kenya quickly regained possession after the Algerians let the ball bounce, and Mwanji scored again after selling a dummy, bringing the halftime score to 26-0.
The second half saw the Morans continue their dominance. Abukuse raced in for a converted try, pushing the score to 31-0. Festus Shiasi added another converted try, extending the lead to 41-0. Victor Odhiambo sealed the match with a try in the left corner, finalizing the score at 47-0.
This comprehensive victory over Algeria highlighted Kenya’s offensive prowess and defensive solidity, setting the stage for their crucial quarterfinal clash against Zimbabwe. The match promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams vying for a place in the semifinals.
Kenya’s encounter with Zimbabwe is expected to be fiercely contested, as both teams have a rich history of rivalry. The Morans will look to build on their strong performances and rectify the mistakes made against Madagascar. With key players like Amon Wamalwa and Victor Odhiambo in fine form, Kenya’s chances look promising.
As the Morans prepare for the quarterfinal showdown, the Kenyan fans will be eagerly anticipating a thrilling match. The team’s blend of speed, skill, and determination will be crucial in overcoming a formidable Zimbabwean side.
Sunday’s quarterfinal clash is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity for Kenya to assert their dominance in African rugby sevens and move a step closer to lifting the Africa Men’s 7s trophy.
The Morans’ journey in the tournament so far has been marked by resilience and flashes of brilliance, and they will need to harness all their strengths to emerge victorious against Zimbabwe.
