Shujaa falls to France in Dubai opener despite spirited fight
By Rama Mohammed |
Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, narrowly lost 24-19 to France in their opening match of the 2024 HSBC World Rugby 7s Series in Dubai. Despite a spirited performance and moments of brilliance, the Kevin Wambua-led side could not secure a long-awaited victory against Les Bleus.
Kenya's national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, began their 2024 HSBC World Rugby 7s Series campaign with a narrow 24-19 loss to France on Saturday, 30 November, at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
The Kevin Wambua-coached side was determined to break a losing streak against Les Bleus, having only one win in their last ten World Series encounters. Their sole victory, a memorable 26-15 upset, came on 22 January 2022. However, France has largely dominated the rivalry, with commanding wins such as 40-17 and 31-0.
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The match was a thrilling contest marked by momentum swings. Referee Peter Martin’s whistle kicked off an intense battle, with Kenya starting strongly but conceding an early penalty for holding onto the ball too long. France capitalized immediately, Gregoire Arfeuil slicing through the Kenyan defence for the opening try. A successful conversion gave France a 7-0 lead.
Shujaa rallied with determination. Chrissant Ojwang came close to scoring, only to be forced out of touch by the French defence. However, Kenya regrouped and executed a series of sharp passes and precise breakdowns, allowing George Ooro to dive over the try line. Nygel Amaitsa converted to level the scores at 7-7.
The second half saw Kenya step up their attack. Patrick Odongo exploited a defensive lapse to sprint over for their second try, with Amaitsa adding the extras for a 14-7 lead. France responded swiftly through Celian Pouzelgues, who touched down to cut Kenya’s lead. A missed tackle by Shujaa opened the door for another French try, swinging the game back in Les Bleus’ favour.
Benson Salem brought Kenya back into the game with a crucial try, tying the scores at 19-19 and setting up a nail-biting finish.
In the sudden-death phase, France’s relentless attack paid off as they crossed the try line for the decisive score, handing Kenya a narrow defeat.
Despite the loss, Shujaa showcased resilience and moments of brilliance. They will look to bounce back in their second match against South Africa later today at 1:58 PM.
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