SWEET REVENGE: Kenya beat Samurai to reclaim Safari Sevens title

Kenya's Shujaa Andrew Amonde in action against Western Province during their 2016 Safari Sevens match at Kasarani Stadium on Sept. 24, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Brian Tanga produced a man of the performance as Kenya's Shujaa reclaimed the Safari Sevens Cup after beating deposed champions Samurai International 38-21 in a thrilling final match, at the Kasarani Stadium, yesterday.

Kenya head coach Benjamin Ayimba couldn’t hide his joy as he revelled in the sweet taste of revenge against Samurai who beat them 20-19 in last year’s final.

“Very sweet revenge, given that last year we lost due to shambolic refereeing .Today, I think the boys came out to play above the referee and I think they did very well,” said Ayimba after the match.

“Samurai have been playing well through the weekend so it was bound to be a tough match. For a very long time, Samurai have been a side that ha quality players made of different internationals. And they were of course the bigger threat in this competition.

“Tanga has been part of the development side, so it is time that he’s coming to maturity and hope to see him play for the Kenyan team in the upcoming season,” Ayimba spoke of MVP Tanga.

Kenya captain Andrew Amonde said: “I think it’s just a summary of what we expected to do this weekend. We played very well and we had our intentions from the first game we played. We wanted to get into this final and try everyone. The boys have played fantastically. Samurai was a good test for us, we were stretched at all limits and everybody played to his best and at the end of it we got the win.

“It is just a step for us and we still have a lot to do. IRB series is a high level for us to compare it with the Safari Sevens. We got a lot of competition here but we managed to emerge winners. It is a good warm up ahead of the new season.”

Samurai coach Chad Shepherd and his captain Ignacio Martins conceded defeat terming Kenya as worthy winners.

“Kenya played a good game and made things difficult for us. The level of competition was high and it is always great to participate in Safari Sevens tournament. Congratulations Kenya,” they said.

Kenya Harlequin winger Frank Wanyama dummied Samurai defence to put Kenya ahead with Tanga’s conversion going wide. Wanyama grabbed his brace, touching down under the posts, converted by Tanga for a 12-0 lead.

Impressive Tanga then raced inside his own half to stretch the scores to 17-0 before Kabras Sugar man Dan Sikuta pulled a converted try back to make the scores 17-7 at half time.

However, after the break, Leonard Mugaisi extended Kenya’s lead with a run-away converted try before paving way for Eden Agero.Billy Odhiambo stretched the scores to 31-7 after Tanga’s conversion before Samurai reduced the deficit through Michael Fedo’s converted try. Dougie Fife would score another converted try for Samurai to make the score 31-21.

William Ambaka then put the game beyond Samurai’s reach with a delightful converted try from Tanga’s pass for Kenya to claim the 21st edition title.

On their way to the finals, Kenya silenced South Africa’s Western Province 17-5 to set-up a repeat of last year’s Cup final against champions Samurai International, who beat

Western Province finished third after beating England Saxons 36-7 in the play-offs as Cape Worriers beat Red Wailers 33-7 to win the Plate.