London Sevens: Shujaa relegated to Challenge Trophy yet again as former coach blames low morale

Kenya chase shadows in London: Innocent Simiyu’s sorry men white-washed in last round of IRB series

KENYA SEVENS IN LONDON 2017 South Africa's Rosko Specman breaks away to score a try against Kenya on day one of the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham on 20 May, the final round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17. Photo: Martin Seras Lima.

Kenya Sevens have been relegated to the Challenge Trophy for the eighth time this season after a disappointing performance on day one of the final round of the 2016/17 Sevens World Series, at Twickenham Stadium London, yesterday.

Shujaa lost 12-10 to series champions elect South Africa in their first Pool A match before suffering a humiliating 47-0 defeat at the hands of Mike Friday’s USA.

Kenya was just, but a shadow of its former self. Even Harambee Stars captain and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama’s surprise visit to the former Singapore champions’ camp on the eve of tournament couldn’t motivate them.

But it is the heavy loss against Friday’s USA, a former Shujaa coach, where they soaked in four tries before the breather that left many Kenyans bitter and frustrated, taking to social media to criticise the team’s dismal show.

The performance comes barely a week after the 12th ranked Kenya bagged a solitary point in the penultimate round in Paris.

Public castigation came from both former players as well as frustrated fans with former Shujaa coach Benjamin Ayimba saying the performance was ‘expected’.

“The players are not motivated, the coach is demoralised...what do you expect from such a team? Maybe this performance is a success to the Union,” Ayimba told The Standard Sports.

Just like the day two performance in Paris, there was an appalling absence of unified defending and attacking as both South Africa and USA ripped through the East Africans with abandon.

Billy Odhiambo put Kenya ahead with an unconverted try against South Africa before making a fantastic try saving tackle against Rosko Specman.

However, Ruhan Nel drew level after Chris Dry dummied inside and sent it wide to make the scores 5-5 at halftime.

Kenya were then reduced to six men just after the break following Andrew Amonde’s send ing off.

South Africa immediately capitalised on the numerical advantage as Specman raced from his own half to score a converted try.

Nelson Oyoo reduced the arrears to 12-10 after Sammy Oliech missed the conversion.

But it is the second game that Kenya’s frailties were exposed against a determined USA, who had been upset 12-28 by Wales in their first game.

David Niu grounded a first half brace before Perry Baker and Madison Hughes scored a try each to hand USA a 26-0 lead at the break.

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