Kenya blow hot and cold in Africa Sevens after losing to Madagascar
Rugby
By
Washington Onyango
| Jun 29, 2024
Kenya Sevens registered mixed results on Saturday as the young Shujaa blew hot and cold in Mauritius as they began their Africa Sevens title defense.
Despite crossing the white wash 12 times during the preliminary stages, Kenya struggled with their conversions, a factor that would come to hunt them in their final pool match defeat.
After thumping hosts Mauritius 40-0 and Nigeria 25-0 in their opening Group A match, Kenya were reminded that they have to dig deeper if they want to retain their title when they were give a reality check by Madagascar in a 7-5 defeat.
In the opening match, returning Shujaa star Edmund Anya and Benson Salem each scored a brace as Kenya Sevens kicked off their title defense with a commanding 40-0 win over hosts Mauritius.
Anya who last played for Kenya when Shujaa were relegated from the World Rugby Sevens Series gave the East Africans the perfect start when he went over for a 5-0 lead after missed conversion.
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Another returning player Dennis Abukuse doubled the lead for Kenya after breaking on the left side for a 12-0 score.
A quick tap and go following a penalty saw captain Salem race down for the third try, giving Kenya a 19-0 lead against the hosts at half time.
In the final half, Elvis Olukusi grabbed a center post try to impose Kenya's dominance further before Anya sold a pair of wheels to score his second try.
Salem also bagged a brace, benefiting from an offload to score a centre post try and sealing a comfortable 40-0 win for Kenya.
Other results saw South Africa Blitzboks see off Zambia 31-7, Zimbabwe run over Algeria 52-0, Burkina Faso humble Tunisia 24-10, Madagascar run over Nigeria 36-14 and Uganda come from behind to edge out Ivory Coast 22-17.
In the second match, Kenya scored five unconverted tries for a 25-0 win over Nigeria, a win that saw them qualify for the quarterfinals set for today.
Anya and Salem once again led Kenya after their two tries gave Shujaa a 10-0 halftime lead before Abukuse, Salem and Amon Wamalwa sealed the win for Kenya.
In the final match, failure to convert their tries came to hunt Kenya as Joel Inzuga went over near the posts but failed to convert for a slender 5-0 half time lead.
Madagascar came from the break hungrier and a converted try saw them stun Kenya and move top of Group A while Shujaa finished second.
Saturday Africa Sevens Results
Kenya 40-Mauritius
Kenya 25-0 Nigeria
Kenya5-7 Madagascar