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Blackout plays havoc with Safari Sevens night fixtures
An aerial view of Nyayo National Stadium.
A technical hitch with the floodlights at the Nyayo National Stadium led to the postponement of three matches yesterday, the opening day of the Safari Sevens.
Uganda Cranes were to meet Kenyan University Select, Nyati, in Pool “B” followed by the battle of the European sides, French Renegades and United Kingdom Select in Pool “A” under floodlights.
Then defending champions Kenya Sevens Shujaa were to play Walukuba Rugby from Uganda in the last match of the day.
“The engineers tried to put up the floodlights but only one of the four poles worked. When they tried to put on the second one both went off,” said Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chief executive officer, Thomas Odundo yesterday evening.
There was confusion and conflicting information with some sources indicating that the contractor, who had installed the floodlights for use for the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) held in August had declined to switch them on over payment issues.
Kenya Morans made a strong start, steamrolling Reunion 24-0 in Pool “C”.
Tries from Rayvone Ambale, Vincent Mola Odhiambo, and a brace from Arnold Agonda, sealed victory for Morans, the 2000 and 2019 champions.
National Rugby 7’s players Lionesses Sheila Chajira (left) and Naomi Amuguni join Shuja George Ooro on October 8, 2025.
The National Sevens Circuit champions KCB fell narrowly 17-14 to last year’s finalists Shogun in a tight encounter.
Kenya Lionesses, the 2021 champions, were dominant over Tunisia with a comfortable 34-7 win in a women’s Pool “B” clash. Janet Okello weaved through the Tunisian defence to open the scorers’ charts for Lionesses before Edith Nariaka extended the lead.
Okello sealed her double as Lionesses roared at the break 15-0. Naomi Amuguni landed for Sinaida to convert for a 22-0 lead as Nariaka added her second try. Faith Livoi sealed the win for Kenya in style.
