Ruthless Shujaa in quarters

Kenya Shujaa's Daniel Taabu tacles Daniel Bock of Namibia 7s at RFUEA Grounds during Safari 7s. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya national Sevens team, Shujaa reached the quarter-finals of the 22nd edition of the Safari Sevens after registering convincing wins in pool A fixtures at the RFUEA grounds yesterday.

The defending champions stamped their authority in the first match, handing national Sevens Circuit runners-up Mwamba a 53-0 hiding thanks to nine tries and four conversions.

Winger Leonard Mugaisi scored a brace with Daniel Taabu and Herman Humwa both crossing the whitewash.

Captain Eden Agero and Daniel Taabu booted one conversion each to give Shujaa a 24-0 cushion at the interval.

The Paul Murunga-coached side continued their dominance in the second half as substitutes Alvin Otieno, Dennis Ombachi, Harold Anduvate and Mark Wandeto inked their names on the scoresheet to complete the rout.

The defending champions would book a quarter-final spot with a match to spare after thrashing United Kingdom’s Apache 42-0.

Against Apache, Shujaa raced to a 19-0 lead at halftime with tries by Daniel Taabu, Herman Humwa and Alvin Otieno while Agero made one conversion.

Johnstone Olindi then consolidated Shujaa’s advantage after he was then put through by Mugaisi for the side’s fourth try which was converted by Taabu.

Harold Anduvate and Cyprian Kuto then rounded off the scoring for Shujaa who were due to face Namibia in their final Pool A match last evening.

Speaking after the match, Shujaa captain Eden Agero acknowledged that 2015 champions Samurai and HSBC Sevens Series participants Spain will pose a threat in their quest for a ninth title.

“Spain and Samurai are some of the teams that are really looking sharp.

“If we happen to meet them in the latter stages we shall plan from there. We want to focus on ourselves now but not our opponents.

“We have taken each game at a time and that has been working for us,” Agero said.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s second string national team, nicknamed Morans also booked a place in the last eight after registering wins against Uganda and Portugal.

Against the Ugandans, captain Samuel Motari scored twice while debutant Timothy Mmasi  also crossed the chalk to aid the Morans to a 19-10 win.

The side would then secure quarter final qualification with a hard fought 12-5 win over Portugal courtesy of two tries by Brian Wahinya and Mmasi and Mark Kwemoi’s conversion.