Safari Sevens 2024: Defending champions Shujaa off to a perfect start

Kenya Shujaa's Patrick Odongo (left) play against South Africa Allstars 7s' Adam Mahhari during the 2023 Safari 7s tournament at RFUEA ground. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions Shujaa got off their Safari Sevens title defence on the front foot after hammering Lions Rugby from United Kingdom 26-14 on Friday as local sides Kenya Morans and Varsity Select struggled at Machakos Stadium.

Speedy winger Patrick Odongo got the hosts off to a perfect start after scoring near the corner for a 5-0 lead with Ben Salem sending the conversion wide.

Kabras Sugar’s Brian Mutua support play saw him dot between the sticks after a beautiful offload from Odongo for a 12-0 lead, this time Salem adding the extras.

In the final half, Lions pulled a try back before Menengai Oilers winger Dennis Abukuse shrugged off Lion’s defenders to score another center post try and stretch the lead to 19-7.

Another Kabras Sugar product William Muhanji came off the bench to seal the win for Shujaa after bulldozing past four Lions defenders to score at the centre for a 26-7 lead.

The European based outfit however scored a consolation try as Shujaa ended day one action with a 26-14 win.

However, Lions will seek to build from the defeat today after having earlier thrashed Qatar 38-0 in their opening match.

Shogun started strong, defeating National 7s Circuit Champions Kenya Harlequin 26-0 in the first match of the day.

In the second match, Red Wailers edged Kenya Morans 14-12 in a game where debutantes Patrick Lumumba and Jackson Siketa scored for Morans. Zimbabwe wrapped up the opening round by beating Varsity Select 21-7. Action continues on Saturday.