Kenya’s Shujaa secured a sensational return to the top tier of Sevens rugby with a hard-fought 33-15 victory over Germany in a nail-biting playoff match at the Madrid Sevens on Sunday.
This incredible win caps off a remarkable comeback journey for the Shujaa after their relegation in May 2023.
The stage was set for a high-stakes encounter as Germany, who had previously bested the Kenyans twice on the Challenger Series this year, drew first blood with an unconverted try from Chris Umeh. However, the Shujaa refused to be rattled. Vincent Onyala responded with a try of his own, expertly converted by Tony Omondi, to give Kenya a narrow 7-5 lead.
The first half continued to be a tense affair, with Nicholas Koch crossing the line for Germany but failing to add the extras. Kenya’s Chrisant Ojwang, fresh out of the sin bin, displayed his determination with a crucial try to send his side into the halftime break with a slender 12-10 advantage.
The second half saw Kenya extend their lead early on. John Okoth barged his way over the try line for a converted score, putting some much-needed breathing room between the two sides. Germany refused to surrender though, with Maximilian Heid adding another unconverted try.
This only seemed to ignite the fighting spirit of the Shujaa. George Ooro and Kevin Wekesa delivered two lightning-fast tries in quick succession, with Omondi adding the conversions to put the game firmly out of reach for Germany. The final score of 33-15 sealed Kenya’s triumphant return to the HSBC Sevens World Series for the 2025 season.
This victory is a testament to the unwavering spirit and exceptional talent within the Shujaa squad. They navigated a challenging pool stage, defeating Chile 36-7 and Samoa 19-12, before falling short in a close 10-5 encounter with hosts Spain. However, they saved their best performance for when it mattered most, overcoming Germany in a do-or-die playoff match.
The jubilant Kenyan fans in Madrid undoubtedly erupted in celebration as their beloved Shujaa secured their place back among the elite of Sevens rugby. This is a significant moment for Kenyan rugby, and the entire nation will be eagerly awaiting the team’s return to the top tier in 2025.
