Rugby: Shujaa beat Germany to lift Safari 7s : The standard Sports

Kenya Shujaa beat Germany 12-5 in a tough final to win the 23rd edition of Safari 7s rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.

 At the same time, Kenya Lionesses successfully retained the women’s title after topping the women’s round-robin encounter.

Grace Adhiambo emerged top scorer with 66 points while Janet Okello scooped the Top Try and Most Valuable Player awards in the women category.

In the crunch men’s final, Shujaa were put ahead by the crowd’s favourite Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno who tore through the well-oiled German defence to score a try which was successfully converted by Levy Amunga to give the home side a 7-0 lead.

German reduced the deficit to 7-5 with an unconverted try from Jack Hunt before the break.

Both sides went on a deadlock on resumption.

It was Johnstone Olindi who gave the hosts victory with a last-minute unconverted try that send the crowd at the stadium into delirium.

“I thank the fans for turning out in large  numbers to support the team,” Shujaa head coach Innocent Simiyu said.

“Indeed many players caught my eyes in the tournament, especially from the Red Wailers and Samurai International,” Simiyu added.

German tactician Darmian McGrath admitted Shujaa were a tough nut to crack at the same time lauded the professionalism that was used to organise the event.

On their way to the finals, Shujaa edged defending champions Morans 19-17 in the semis as Germany beat Zimbabwe 31-14.

Shujaa versus Morans was such a lively and entertaining match that left spectators on the edge of their seats as the rivals battled for glory in the midmorning sun. Otieno who was the fans favourite, endeared many to the Shujaa side by his antics.

Both sides displayed skills, tact and hard tackles that send others to the sin bin.

Shujaa player Archadius Khwesa was the victim of the knocks as he had to be brought out of the pitch in a stretcher and spend the remainder of the afternoon receiving medical attention at the venue.

“Rugby is a physical game, Khwesa’s injury was unfortunate. That’s not what we want to see in the sport,” Morans assistant coach Kevin Wambua said.

“We wish the young man recovery,” said Wambua.

Wambua lauded Morans performance in the tournament stating they gave good account of themselves despite failing to defend the trophy.

Moran’s beat Red Wailers 12-5 to lift the third-place play-off.

“We haven’t trained together for a long time, but I’m glad we did the jersey proud.

“We had a slow start in the tournament but we eventually found our rhythm and were able to make it to the semis,” said Wambua.

“Losing to Shujaa in the semis by two points was a bit tough for the boys but it was a good game.

“I hope my young players caught the eyes of national team coach Innocent Simiyu with their brilliant display,” said Wambua.

Simiyu agreed that their toughest match was against the determined Morans.

He said the game could have gone either way.

“It was a wake-up call for players in the national team. It showed them that other young talents are on the rise and so they should step up their game,” said Simiyu.

Simiyu downplayed Khwesa’s injury saying it didn’t affect his side ahead of the finals with Germany but nonetheless dedicated the trophy to the injured Khwesa.

UTILITIES

Main Cup Semis results

Kenya Shujaa 19 Kenya Morans 17

Germany 26. Red Wailers 7

 3rd/4th place play-off

Kenya Morans 12  Vs Red Wailers 5

Finals results

Kenya Shujaa 12 Germany 5