Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, pulled off a stunning 22-17 victory over South Africa in a dramatic Pool A showdown at the Dubai Sevens on Saturday. Nygel Amaitsa was the hero of the day, scoring a sensational last-minute try that sent Kenyan fans into ecstatic celebrations.
Shujaa came out firing, with Kevin Wekesa opening the scoring in just the second minute, slicing through South Africa’s defense after a clever setup from co-captain Samuel Asati. Although Amaitsa missed the initial conversion, he made amends moments later with a try of his own, followed by a successful conversion to give Kenya a 12-0 lead.
Patrick Odongo added to South Africa’s woes, sprinting down the right flank to score Kenya’s third try after another precise assist from Asati. Shujaa’s relentless attack left the Blitzboks reeling in the first half, with Kenya dominating possession and pinning South Africa deep in their territory.
The second half, however, saw South Africa mount a fierce comeback. Tristan Leyds and Donovan Don crossed the try line in quick succession, cutting Kenya’s lead to 17-12 after Don’s successful conversion. Leyds struck again to level the score at 17-17, but a missed conversion left the game balanced on a knife’s edge.
With the clock winding down, Amaitsa chased down a loose ball in South Africa’s territory, triggering a frantic scramble across the try line. After a tense review by the TMO, his try was confirmed, sealing a memorable win for Shujaa.
Now with one win and one loss in Pool A, Shujaa’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages hinge on their final match against Australia, set for Saturday night at 7:22 pm. Buoyed by their electrifying win over South Africa, Shujaa will look to harness their dynamic play and resilience to secure a spot in the next round.
Kenya’s grit and flair in Dubai have reignited their campaign and proven they are a team to be reckoned with on the international stage.
