Former national Rugby 7’s Captain Humphrey Kayange remains optimistic about Shujaa’s future despite their disappointing performance at the Paris Olympic Games. The Kenyan rugby team finished ninth, narrowly defeating Samoa 10-5 in the ninth-place playoff on Saturday.
John Okoth was the star for Shujaa, scoring two unconverted tries, while Samoa’s Motu Opetai managed a consolation try. Placed in Group B alongside formidable opponents Australia, Argentina, and Samoa, Shujaa finished last with just three points. Australia topped the group with nine points, followed by Argentina with seven and Samoa with five.
Shujaa’s pool games started with a tough 31-12 loss to Olympic bronze medalists Argentina, followed by a 21-7 defeat to Australia. They concluded the group stage with a disappointing 26-0 loss to Samoa. However, in the 9-12 placing matches, Shujaa recorded their first win of the tournament, a hard-fought 19-14 victory against Uruguay, setting up a rematch with Samoa in the 9-10 place rounds.
The Paris Olympics saw the host nation, France, clinch the title after defeating Fiji 28-7, while South Africa took bronze with a 26-19 win over Australia. This mirrored the 2020 Tokyo Games, where Kenya also finished ninth.
Despite the less-than-stellar results in Paris, Kayange praised the team’s performance, recognizing their determination and potential. “That was a great finish to the tournament. Well done, boys, for a valiant display,” Kayange said.
Looking ahead, Kayange believes there is still much more to come from Shujaa, especially in the World Rugby Sevens Series. “There has been a lot of improvement by the young players and there is plenty more to come from this group,” he added.
After their relegation from the HSBC World Sevens Series last year, Shujaa made a triumphant return for the 2025 season by beating Germany 33-15 last month in Madrid. Their qualification journey was marked by a 19-12 win against Samoa, a narrow 10-5 loss to Spain, and a convincing 36-7 victory over Chile before securing core status with the victory over Germany.
Kayange himself has a storied history with the National Sevens team, being the standout star during the 2010/11 season when Kenya finished ninth in the World Sevens Series. He scored 31 tries and amassed 157 points, showcasing his exceptional talent. In the 2009/10 season, he was the team’s top try-scorer with 33 tries, placing him second overall, tied with New Zealand’s Kurt Baker and behind Samoa’s Mikaele Pesamino, who had 56 tries.
Kenya Sevens earned their first call-up for the World Rugby Sevens Series in the 1999/2000 season, finishing in position 20. Their best season came in 2021 when they finished third behind South Africa and Great Britain.
The recent results have shown that while Shujaa has room for improvement, the team’s resilience and potential are undeniable. The return to the HSBC World Sevens Series and their recent performances highlight a promising future. Kayange’s belief in the young players’ growth and potential is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.
As Shujaa looks forward to the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Series, fans and supporters remain hopeful for a resurgence in their performance, driven by the blend of experienced players and emerging talents. The journey may be challenging, but with the spirit and determination exhibited by Shujaa, the future of Kenyan rugby looks bright.
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