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Kenya Sevens head coach Paul Feeney is encouraged by the teams upturn in form after they reached the Cup quarter-final in the second leg of the 2019/20 season in Cape Town at the weekend.

After collecting only four points in the season opening leg in Dubai, Shujaa picked 10 in Cape Town after finishing group assignments unbeaten following a 24-19 victory over Samoa, 12-7 win past Australia and a 24-24 draw with Ireland.

That impressive run saw them secure second place in their group, earning them a last eight berth against hosts South Africa, a match they lost 17-5.

Kenya drew first blood in the match with Alvin Otieno, nicknamed “Buffa” scoring what turned out to be Shujaa’s only try before the South Africans turned the game around.

The Blitzboks took their chances in the second half after a number of ball handling errors from Shujaa easily gifted them possession with R Nel and Selvyn Davids on the scoresheet for the hosts.

For a team that needed three legs to collect 11 points last season, 14 after two rounds has left Feeney feeling confident. 

“We have made great strides and improvement in our attack and defensive structures. Our kick-offs have also been enhanced as I give all the players opportunity to prove themselves,” Feeney told World Rugby yesterday.

Shujaa, who return to the country tonight, will now take a break before turning attention to the Oceania tour of New Zealand and Australia in January.