Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Shujaa's losing streak persists in Dubai 7s

Safari Sevens

Kenya Shujaa's Timothy Mmasi (left) brushes off Nigeria Stallions' Samuel Akpabio during their Safari 7's Rugby tournament match at Nyayo National Stadium on on October 30, 2021.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Shujaa succumbed at the death to a try from speedster Perry Baker just seconds after Alvin Marube’s converted try had put his side 21-19 up with an easy try after Captain Nelson Oyoo put him through
  • Coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu’s men enjoyed a 14-7 half-time lead thanks to a well-worked try from Billy Odhiambo after some excellent passing with Oyoo on six minutes
  • This result means Shujaa have suffered five consecutive losses in Dubai, stretching back to last weekend’s 19-5 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Fiji

Kenya Sevens' hopes of reaching Main Cup quarter-final at Dubai Sevens II dimmed after throwing away the lead twice in a 24-21 loss to USA in their second Group “B” match on Friday.

Shujaa succumbed at the death to a try from speedster Perry Baker just seconds after Alvin Marube’s converted try had put his side 21-19 up with an easy try after Captain Nelson Oyoo put him through.

The Americans started off brightly, with the opening try coming in the second minute after Kevon Williams side-stepped several tackles from Kenya to cross the whitewash under the sticks. Captain Stephen Tomasin made the twos for 7-0.

Shujaa then benefitted from a Carlin Isles sin-bin late in the first half to level the scores 7-7 through Herman Humwa’s try converted by Anthony Omondi.

Coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu’s men enjoyed a 14-7 half-time lead thanks to a well-worked try from Billy Odhiambo after some excellent passing with Oyoo on six minutes.

Williams reduced the gap with a try converted by Tomasin who landed on 12 minutes to give Mike Friday’s side a 19-14 lead following his successful conversion.

Marube, who had not scored a try in his first 13 matches with Shujaa, finally got his name on the list of scorers after touching down just under the upright with less than 20 seconds left on the clock. Johnstone Olindi successfully converted the try for a 21-19 lead.

However, Kenya’s dream for a first win in three matches against the Americans were shattered when the defence was torn apart by Baker. This result means Shujaa have suffered five consecutive losses in Dubai, stretching back to last weekend’s 19-5 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Fiji.

Kenya depended on finishing as the second third best team in Dubai Sevens I to reach the quarter-final in the 12-nation competition.

USA and Australia have already qualified for the last eight from Kenya’s pool. The East Africans, who must defeat Canada at 4.46pm convincingly and hope results from other groups go their way to book a quarter-final ticket, are currently placed third with two points, same as bottom-placed Canada who have an inferior points difference.

Day One results so far:

Pool A

Great Britain 24-21 Ireland

South Africa 48-0 Japan 

Pool B

Australia 21-14 Kenya 

USA 38-14 Canada

Australia 24-17 Canada 

Kenya 21-24 USA

Pool C

Fiji 17-22 France

Argentina 21-14 Spain

Fiji 19-33 Spain

Argentina 21-14 France