In a thrilling start to their World Rugby Series promotion bid, the Kenya Sevens team, known as Shujaa, triumphed over Samoa with a score of 19-12 in their first Pool B encounter at Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano Stadium.
The match kicked off with Shujaa’s co-captain Vincent Onyala making a statement by scoring the opening try. His counterpart, Tony Omondi, successfully converted for an early 7-0 advantage.
Not long after, Patrick Odongo made his mark by adding another try for Kenya. Samoa responded with two tries and a conversion, bringing the halftime score to a nail-biting 12-12.
The second half saw both teams fiercely contesting, but it was Kenya who kept their composure. A crucial turnover led to Patrick Odongo slicing through Samoa’s defense for his second try, and with Omondi’s conversion, Shujaa secured a vital 19-12 victory.
Looking ahead, Shujaa is set to clash with the host nation, Spain, later on Friday at 10:18 pm local time. Positioned in Pool B with Spain, Samoa, and Chile, Kenya’s path to the quarterfinals demands a flawless run in the group stage.
Meanwhile, Pool A features Germany, the USA, Uruguay, and Canada. To ensure a place in the quarterfinals, Kenya must clinch at least two wins in the pool matches. The stakes are high, and Shujaa’s journey continues with determination and the support of their fans.
