News
Kenya Shujaa is the 2016 Safari sevens champions after beating the defending champions 38-21 in an emotional final with Shujaa’s pride at stake, a match played at the Moi Kasarani stadium yesterday.
The win was a reprieve for the host team as their counterparts finished third in the Africa cup sevens failing to defend the title which Shujaa had won for them a year ago.
It was a sweet revenge for the Kenyan boys who lost 20-19 in the 2015 final to the then Mike Friday coached Samurai RFC which mauled Shujaa at home by a point difference to end the match 20-19 in their favor during the 20th edition at the same venue.
Pleased with the performance of the team despite several challenges and Samurai’s threat, Kenya sevens head coach Benjamin Ayimba took the revenge with pride and believes the teams future remains bright with inclusion of exceptional talents from individuals like the fly half Brian Tanga who also scooped the most valuable player award from the cup finals.
"It was a sweet revenge especially seeing last year's loss was due to referee's mistake. The boys came into the game and we did it. Brian Tanga's performance shows that he is now coming into maturity and with such players, the future of the team remains bright,” said Ayimba.
Kenya went ahead in the opening minutes through Frank Wanyama's brace that MVP Brian Tanga converted only one try before the Kabras Sugar man touched down to make it a 17-0 lead.
Kenya fifteens international Dan Sikuta featuring for Samurai international landed the first try for Samurai to cut the margin to 7-17 to break with a trail of just ten points shy.
The pacy Leonard Mugaisi opened the second half for Kenya with a try extending the lead to 24-7 as Brian Tanga did the extras in the conversion. Olympian Billy ‘The Kid’ Odhiambo showed his experience pacing forward to make things 31-7 to shutter Samurai’s thoughts of a possible comeback but Samurai almost immediately replied back with Doughi Fife’s and Michael Fedo’s tries. Tanga did not spare the visiting side after he pulled a crazy step and chase for the try line and passed it on to Willy Ambaka who grounded the ball as Tanga converted it to seal a 38-21.
Meanwhile Menengai Cream Homeboyz bagged the Bowl after winning three round matches beating Morocco, rwanda and Belhar Rockets as Cape Warriors took the Plate courtesy of a 33-7 win over Red Wailers while Western Province finished third after beating England Saxons 36-7
Cup semis
Kenya 17 – Western Province 5
Samurai 7 – England Saxons 5
Main Cup finals
Kenya Shujaa 38 – Samurai
Plate winners
Cape Warriors
Bowl winners
Homeboyz
Individual awards
Top try scorer
Callum Sirker – England Saxons
Top points scorer
Callum Sirker – England Saxons
Most Valuable player
Brian Tanga – Kenya Shujaa