Johnstone Olindi’s brace lifts Shujaa past Uganda in Commonwealth opener
By Collins Amanga, July 29, 2022Kenya Sevens kicked off their Commonwealth Games impressively by beating Uganda 7s 27-14 in a Pool D match played at Coventry Stadium on Friday 29 July 2022.
Shujaa scored five tries and one conversion in the win, with Johnstone Olindi bagging a brace. Uganda managed two converted tries in the match.
Damian McGrath’s charges were keen to revenge a 22-12 loss suffered in Kampala Uganda in the Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens in April 2022.
Early try for Shujaa
Kenya were quick off the blocks and their early chase saw them win a penalty after Ian Munyani’s high tackle on Herman Humwa. The referee awarded a yellow card to Munyani and Shujaa quickly called for a scrum.
Olindi picked the ball from the scrum and raced to score the opening try for Kenya to lead 5-0. Shujaa stretched the lead when Anthony Omondi inside pass in Uganda’s territory opened a gap for Humwa to score a centre-post try. The conversion was successful for a 12-0 scoreline.
Billy Odhiambo went on to grab the third try after collecting the ball from a ruck and rounded his markers for a try at the right corner.
Uganda were able to pull back with Timothy Kisiga running through Kenya Sevens’ defence for a centre post try.
Uganda returned stronger in the final half, with Philip Wokorach pacing down the right wing to score a centre post try which was converted for a 17-14 scoreline.
Shujaa advantage
Shujaa got an advantage when Adrian Kasito was sent off for a yellow card. Olindi danced through the defence and landed a try that put the scores at 22-14.
Substitute Kevin Wekesa came off the bench and raced to the try-line for the final try of the match.
Shujaa will tackle Jamaica in the second match of the day scheduled for 8:58 PM East African Time with a win set to assure them a place in the quarters.