Shujaa crush Morans to retain Safari Sevens crown in all-Kenyan final

• The result underlined Kenya’s depth in rugby sevens, with the national first team and the developmental Morans side occupying the top two positions after overcoming international and invitational opposition during the tournament.

Shujaa successfully defended their Safari Sevens title with a commanding 24-5 victory over Kenya Morans in an all-Kenyan final at Nyayo National Stadium, capping a tournament dominated by the hosts.

After a tightly contested first half that ended in a stalemate, Shujaa raised the tempo after the break, producing four tries to put the contest beyond the reach of their compatriots.

The breakthrough came immediately after the restart when Rayvon Ambale crossed the try line following a decisive incursion into the Morans’ red zone. Ambale converted his own try to hand Shujaa a 7-0 lead.

Strathmore Leos speedster Victor Mola then showcased his pace and elusive footwork, stepping past defenders down the right flank to score Shujaa’s second try. Ambale added the extras to stretch the advantage to 14-0.

Shujaa continued to exploit gaps in the Morans’ defence, with Festus Shiasi diving into the left corner after a quick pass from Nigel Amaitsa to extend the lead to 19-0.

John Okoth subsequently powered his way over the try line, adding another score to put Shujaa firmly in control at 24-0.

The Morans, however, refused to finish the contest without a response. They capitalised on a well-executed team move and a series of offloads to cross the try line for a consolation score through their Co-Captain Dennis Ndayala, but the comeback came too late as Shujaa sealed a 24-5 victory.

The result underlined Kenya’s depth in rugby sevens, with the national first team and the developmental Morans side occupying the top two positions after overcoming international and invitational opposition during the tournament.

For the Morans, reaching the final marked a significant milestone, returning to the Safari Sevens showpiece for the first time since their 2019 title-winning campaign.

Shujaa’s triumph also ensured that the defending champions maintained their hold on the prestigious home tournament, reinforcing their status as Kenya’s leading sevens side.

In the women’s competition, the Kenya Lionesses also successfully defended their title, defeating Uganda’s Lady Cranes 22-5 in the final-round decider.

The Lionesses finished with a perfect record of five wins from five matches, collecting 15 points to complete a memorable campaign and ensure Kenya retained both the men’s and women’s crowns on home soil.