Shujaa edged out by France in Dubai 7s opener

Kenya 7s national team; Shujaa suffered a 24-19 defeat to France in their opening match of the 2024 HSBC World Rugby 7s Series played on Saturday 30 November at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

The Kevin Wambua-coached side was eager to break their losing streak against France.

They were seeking their first victory over Les Bleus since their lone triumph on January 22, 2022. In ten Sevens World Series circuit meetings, Shujaa has managed only one win—a 26-15 upset that remains a highlight in their rivalry.

The French have otherwise dominated, with scores like 40-17 and 31-0 underscoring Kenya's challenge.

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Match Report

The game, which featured a series of exchanges and momentum swings, saw France edge Kenya with a final try to seal the victory.

Referee Peter Martin signaled the start of an intense encounter. Kenya's initial momentum was halted after a penalty for holding onto the ball too long.

France capitalized with swift passes leading to Gregoire Arfeuil scoring their opening try. The conversion was successful, giving France an early 7-0 lead.

Kenya responded with determination, nearly breaking through when Chrissant Ojwang surged forward, only to be forced out of touch by France's resilient defense.

Despite losing possession briefly, Kenya regained control in their danger zone and showed composure under pressure.

A series of precise passes and efficient breakdowns culminated in George Ooro diving over the try line. Nygel Amaitsa slotted the conversion to level the scores at 7-7.

The second half began with renewed vigor from Kenya. Speedster Patrick Odongo exploited a gap in France's defense to score Kenya's second try, with Amaitsa once again converting for a 14-7 lead.

However, France hit back through Celian Pouzelgues, followed by another try after a missed tackle from Kenya, swinging the game back in favor of Les Blues.

Kenya refused to relent, with Benson Salem scoring a crucial try to tie the scores at 19-19, pushing the game into sudden death.

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In the decisive moments, France came out firing, and their relentless attack resulted in a match-winning try that left Kenya narrowly defeated.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Kenya displayed resilience and skill throughout the game.

The team will aim to bounce back when they face South Africa later today at 1:58 PM.