Shaky Shujaa lucky to book World Cup slot after being dethroned as Africa champions
Kenya Sevens secured Rugby Sevens World Cup qualification after finishing third at the Africa 7s held in Kampala, Uganda.
Shujaa beat Zambia 19-12 in the bronze final after losing 22-12 to hosts Uganda who beat Zimbabwe to win the regional seven’s tournament. Uganda, Zimbabwe.
Kenya and South Africa will represent Africa at the Sevens World Cup in Cape Town in September 2022.
Coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu’s side went into the match under pressure as they were staring at missing the World Cup for the first time since 2001 after being the previous five editions.
The dethroned African champions comfortably led 12-0 at the break after Augustine Lugonzo landed a try that was converted by Anthony Omondi. Youngster Amon Wamalwa added another.
Uganda on the other hand also qualified for the Commonwealth Games to be held on England in August to join Kenya and South Africa who had qualified via the HSBC World Sevens Series.
Harmony Wamalwa landed a brace with Augustine Lugonzo scoring once as Tony Omondi secured the result with two conversations for Kenya in the defeat to Uganda.
Kenya and Zambia dropped to the bronze medal after losing 22-12 to Uganda and 26-17 to Zimbabwe respectively in the semi-finals.
Uganda and Zambia joined automatic qualifier Kenya at the 2022 Commonwealth Games slated for July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, England.
The trio of Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe are also through to the World Cup Sevens slated for September 9-11 this year in South Africa.
Shujaa got an automatic ticket based on the Games’ Athlete Allocation System where ranking on the World Sevens Series from the seasons 2018/19 and 2019/20 as of 31 March 2020 and performance in WR Sevens Series and regional tournaments determine the directly qualified teams.
Results
Round Four Fixtures (Sunday, April 24, 2022)
Mauritius vs Cameroun 21-12 -Trophy
Ghana vs Senegal 12-0 -Trophy
Namibia vs Zimbabwe 17-27
Kenya vs Madagascar 7-12
Zambia vs Tunisia 12-05
Uganda vs Burkina Faso 51-0
Semifinals Uganda vs Kenya 22-12
Semifinals: Zimbabwe vs Zambia 26-17
Third place: Kenya vs Zambia 19-12
Final: Uganda vs Zimbabwe 28-0
