Unbeaten Shujaa edge out stubborn Germany on 15-10 golden point

Rugby
By Washington Onyango | Feb 14, 2026
Festus Shiasi Safari of Kenya Shujaa diving for a try against Germany 7s during their 2026 HSBC SVNS 2 match at Nyayo Stadium on February 14, 2026. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya Sevens came from 10-0 down at the break to edge out a stubborn Germany 15-10 at sudden death as Shujaa maintained their unbeaten run during the opening day of the 2026 Nairobi HSBC SVNS, played at the fully packed Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

Shujaa began the match on the back foot after Ben Ellermann took advantage of the hosts' defensive lapse to score an unconverted try to hand the Germans a 5-0 lead.

Felix Hufnagel stretched Germany's lead to 10-0 after another unconverted try as the Europeans led at the break.

In the final half, Nygel Amaitsa began Kenya's comeback after crossing over for a touchdown that was not converted as they trailed 10-5.

Moments later, Patrick Odongo showed why he is the fastest Kenyan rugby winger after picking a loose ball from the half line and sprinting to the try box and tying the scores at 10-10 after another missed conversion.

Festus Shiasi Safari (Left) and Patrick Odongo of Kenya Shujaa celebrate victory against Germany 7s during their 2026 HSBC SVNS 2 match at Nyayo Stadium on February 14, 2026. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Shujaa power and resilience followed after the hooter when they denied Germany a last-gasp winner when Odongo chased Anton Gleitze and forced a hold-up between the posts and sent the game to sudden death.

Played in the golden point format, where the first to score wins the match, Shujaa kicked the ball, and despite the Germans winning possession, Kevin Wekesa's power came into play when he forced a turnover through powering through one of the Germans' racks.

Off the scrum, Amaitsa found Festus Shiasi, who shrugged off two defenders from the midfield before sprinting for a diving try between the sticks and sealed Kenya's 15-10 win amid thunderous applause from the thousands of fans at Nyayo Stadium.

Kenya has so far defeated Canada, Belgium and now Germany.

Share this story
SPL conundrum: Premier league kickoff in jeopardy
The 2026/27 SportPesa Premier League kickoff has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after the High Court ordered that Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United play a promotion-relegation playoff.
What Kenya could gain for hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships
The economy of the city and the country as a whole is set to benefit greatly from the World Championships coming to Nairobi, both directly and indirectly.
Kenyan youngsters set for 12-Goal tournament
Some of Kenya’s talented youngsters face the  might of experienced Argentina and South African players in the 12-Goal-Kenya International Polo Tournament at Timau Sports Club today.
Historic World Championships hosting continues to excite athletics fraternity
The historic decision to award Kenya the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships continues to ignite excitement among distance running stars and legends.
The world has been running on Kenyan legs and in 2029 it comes home to pay
Nairobi's win in Budapest is not a trophy for the sports ministry. It is the first time this country gets to own the business it invented.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS