MIXED FORTUNES

Kenya's Shujaa Brian Tanga forces his way past Cape Town Warrior player during their 2016 Safari Sevens match at Kasarani Stadium on Sept. 24, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Kenya Shujaa qualified for today’s Safari Sevens Cup quarter-finals with a game on hand while the Kenya Sevens side finished third after being dethroned as Africa Cup champions by rivals Uganda, at the Kasarani Stadium.

Uganda were crowned the 2016 Africa champions yesterday after beating Namibia 38-19 in the final, while Kenya mauled Madagascar 46-0 in the third place-play-offs.

Kenya were booted out of the continental tournament by eventual winners Uganda, who beat the hosts 17-12 as Namibia stunned Madagascar 10-7 in sudden death.

Uganda showed intent from kick-off with Phillip Wokorach grounding an unconverted try before captain Eric Kasiita doubled the lead with a converted try.

Solomon Okia scored a third try to ensure the Ugandans go into the break comfortably leading 17-0.

Kenya came back into the second half a more rejuvenated side with Alex Olaba pulling back a converted try before Kabras Sugar star Aluda Beda made it 17-12 after Matt Wanjia missed the conversion.

However, the Ugandans held their nerves to win the match and set up a final clash with Namibia, who had beaten Madagascar 10-7 in a sudden death in the first semis.

It is a performance that left head coach Paul Murunga a disappointed man, blaming poor preparation for their elimination.

“It’s a big lesson to the Kenya Rugby Union, they should never take things for granted. Having trained for only two days, we expected this result,” said Murunga.

But Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Richard Omwela was quick to defend the Union’s decision to field a fringe team in the Africa Cup tournament.

“This is a young team, picked after the circuit. We are trying out new players and I am happy to see that they are able to play at this level. Don’t be surprised to see some of them popping up in the World Rugby Circuit,” said Omwela.

“There is nothing for us to win at the Africa Cup, we were already number two and we are going to the circuit.

There was nothing for us to achieve by winning it. Just like South Africa, we should not have participated.

We have so much raw talent even some are playing for Western Province, Samurai and a full team for Homeboyz. The likes of Collins (Injera), Humphrey (Khayange) are not here because there is nothing to achieve for them.”

But it was a bright start for Benjamin Ayimba trained side in the lowly-attended Safari Sevens tournament as they tore their Pool A opponents apart to join champions Samurai, Western Province and England Saxons in the last eight. Shujaa were due to face Portugal in their final Pool A at 8pm last evening.

Shujaa, who lost the Cup to Samurai International last year, demolished a depleted Rwanda 45-0 in a one-sided match before thrashing Cape Warriors 38-7 in their second match.