Part of the action as Kenya 7s took on Samoa in Paris (C) NOC-K
Kenya 7s crashed out of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games main competition following a heavy 26-0 to Samoa in the final Group B game played at Stade de France in Saint Denis, Paris, on Thursday.
Shujaa needed to win the match to maintain hopes of remaining in the main competition by qualifying for the quarterfinals as the one of the two best-ranked third-place teams.
Samoa now have an opportunity to scoop one of those slots but have to wait for results in other groups to go their way.
Samoa lead 5-0 at halftime courtesy of a try by Motu Opetai but made most of Shujaa playing with a man less in the second half after Kevin Wekesa was sinbinned.
Paul Scanlan, Apelu Maliko, and Steve Rimoni scored tries for Samoa which were successfully converted by Faafoi Falaniko, Tom Maiava, and Neueli Leitufia respectively.
The result left Shujaa bottom of Group B with 0 points following losses against Argentina (31-12) and Australia (21-7) in their first two matches.
This now marks the third Olympics that Kenya Sevens have been eliminated at the Group Stages without winning a match.
Kenya is now set to play in the play-off matches for 9th-12th positions.
At the last Olympics, Shujaa finished in 9th place. It remains Kenya's best finish in Rugby Sevens at the Olympic Games and Shujaa will be fighting to finish in a similar position and end their campaign on a high.
At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Kenya finished in 11th place, a record that remains their worst showing at the Olympic Games.
All in all, the current Kenya Sevens team, the youngest to represent Kenya at the Olympic Games, has been touted as one for the future.
Before leaving Kenya for Paris, the current Shujaa strength and coach Andrew Amonde declared that the team has what it takes to win a World Rugby Sevens Series in the coming years if they maintain their discipline and focus.
Therefore, the team, despite the losses suffered, may have positives to take from their campaign which can help them in future competitions.
