Part of the action as Shujaa lost to Argentina (C) Team Kenya
Despite a brave and defiant display, the youthful Kenya Sevens suffered a 31-12 loss against Argentina as Shujaa kicked off their 2024 Paris Olympic Games campaign with a loss at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, on Wednesday.
Coach Kevin Wambua opted to start with Samuel Asati, Anthony Mboya, Chrisant Ojwang, Kevin Wekesa, Patrick Odongo, John Okoth, and Vincent Onyala.
Nygel Amaitsa, Lamech Ambetsa, George Ooro, Herman Humwa, and Brian Tanga started from the bench.
Vincent Onyala made history by becoming the first Kenya Sevens player to play at two Olympic Games, emulating Andrew Amonde, Billy Odhiambo, Collins Injera, and Willy Ambaka.
Shujaa, who appeared at the Olympic Games for the third time, made the most of the game's cagey start, with Kabras Sugar's Kevin Wekesa scoring the match's opening try in the fourth minute. Captain Anthony Mboya (Mwamba) successfully converted to give Shujaa a 7-0 lead.
However, Argentina managed to reduce the deficit before the break, with Agustin Fraga reducing the deficit after putting the ball over the chalk.
Argentina's subsequent try was not successful, allowing the Kenya 7s to go to halftime with a 7-5 halftime lead.
Argentina quickly erased Kenya's advantage after the restart, with Fraga making a try that Joaquin Pellandini converted to give the South Americans a 12-7 lead.
Kenya quickly retaliated, scoring another try through Kevin Wekesa to tie the score at 12-12.
Unfortunately, that proved to be Kenya's last act of the game, as the gulf in class between the two teams showed.
Before heading to the Olympics, coach Wambua said that the Kenya Sevens were putting in the work to improve their defensive frameworks.
Shujaa needed to focus more on their defense and in-game management in the remaining minutes of the match, as a flurry of late tries by Tomas Elizalde, Luciano Gonzalez, and Marcos Moneta propelled the larger Argentines to a 31-12 victory. Pellandini converted two of those attempts.
Shujaa, who have now played seven matches at the Olympic Games without a win at the Group Stages, face a short turnaround time before playing Australia at 8 p.m. at the Stade de France.
Australia started their campaign with a 21-14 win against Samoa. It will be crucial for Shujaa to win the match to keep their hopes of winning a medal alive.
