Shujaa off to bright start in ongoing rugby World Cup sevens in South Africa

The Kenya’s Sevens national team, fondly known as Shujaa have kicked off their quest for a podium finish in the ongoing World Cup sevens in Cape Town, South Africa.

Kenya recorded a 19-0 win over Tonga to book a date with the Argentina side in the round of 16 fixtures today.

The ever-present Willy Ambaka and field captain Nelson Oyoo were on target for the Damian McGrath-coached side with Impala RFC utility Sammy Oliech converting the extras for a 14-o lead heading to the intervals.

KCB RFC fast-rising utility Vincent Onyala added an unconverted try deep into stoppage time to seal the much-needed win for Shujaa with 19-0 being the final score.

Kenya Sevens team will be hoping to replicate their semi-finals feat in 2013 when they face a tough opponent Argentina in the next round.

Shujaa finished fourth during the 2013 finals played in Moscow, Russia after losing to Olympic champions Fiji in the bronze match finals, a level many local fans will hope Kenya reaches again if not surpass.

The Damian McGrath squad will be relying heavily on Ambaka, Billy Odhiambo and Kenya’s all-time top try scorer Colllins Injera to steer the country to a podium finish.

Injera has exuded confidence with the current crop of players but insisted they have to take one game at a time approach mentality to pull through.

With the games set to be played in a knockout format, Injera said they have to take a one-match-at-a-time approach.

“This is a knockout tournament, you lose one game you are out of the competition, for us we just have to take it a game at a time and that is what we have been talking about, the first game is Tonga and that is where all our energies are focused on,” said Injera.

If Kenya wins against Argentina, they will face rugby sevens champions Fiji in the next round.

Round of 16

England vs Ireland 3.39pm

France vs Canada 4.02pm

USA vs Samoa 4.39pm

New Zealand vs Scotland 5.01pm

Argentina vs Kenya 5.23pm

Australia vs Wales 5.45pm

Fiji vs Winner M67.05pm

South Africa vs Winner M8 8.03pm