KENYA LEARN VITAL LESSONS: Back to drawing board for Shujaa after South Africa rugby outing

Japan'Õs Dallas Tatana (L) is tackled by Kenya's Willy Hambaka (R) during the group stage Rugby Sevens series match Japan vs Kenya on December 10, 2016 in Cape Town. / AFP PHOTO / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

Kenya Sevens will need more than a miracle to rise again. After a disastrous second day of Cape Town IRB circuit, coach Innocent Simiyu is left with more questions than answers.

The basic question Simiyu needs to explain to local rugby enthusiasts is what happened against New Zealand at the main cup quarters?

He chose to rest William Ambaka, a player who has scored at least a try in every game this season. When faced with a date against the All Blacks Sevens Team this must have been a suicidal move by Simiyu.

On Saturday, the Kenyan team wore black armbands in memory of Ogeto Gecheo, a young Nondies player, who died after a fatal tackle on the pitch.

But just when the boys dedicated their quarterfinal qualification to Gacheo, double tragedy struck back at home. There was absolutely no good news if any from Kenya. The social media was awash with questions about how close to 40 people perished along Naivasha-Nakuru highway and the collapse and subsequent death of a second rugby player.

Television cameras caught a pocket of desperate Kenyan supporters flustered across the stands of Cape Town Stadium, while local fans in Nairobi and across the country watched in pain and disbelief.

There was nothing brave at all about Shujaa. The boys simply gave up and put in so little. Captain Andrew Amonde and company were not just up against All Blacks, they lacked the emotional strength and mental stability.

Apart from the opening kick, Kenyans did not touch the ball for about three and a half minutes of Sevens Rugby. For a third time in a row, Kenyan defence collapsed and gave in to their opponents.

Tim Mikkelson pulled what has become a routine to any big team playing against Kenya. Three good passes and he was speeding to the posts with only the referee chasing after him.

The men in black made 17 complete passes while Kenya provided no opposition. For a moment, there was hope some glimpse of hope when young and inexperienced Brian Tanga skillfully evaded his markers with speed and strength to touch down.

This would be Kenya's only score and Augustine Lugonzo converted for a 21-7 half-time score. New Zealand Captain Scott Curry asserted his authority and supremacy in the second half with a solo effort try as Kenyans watched. The game ended 28-7.

Battle for fifth place saw Kenya face Wales and the script was the same; Shujaa trailed 14-0 at half time, but won 19-14.