Kenya Seven Rugby Shujaa’s quest for an improved show at the Vancouver Series started on a poor note as Shujaa slumped to back-to-back losses against Argentina and France on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Kevin Wambua’s charges seemed out of sorts losing 24-0 in their opener against Argentina, before France condemned them to a 33-7 score-line defeat in the second group tie.

Sin-binned

Despite naming a rather experienced side comprising Dennis Abukuse, Vincent Onyala and co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati in his starting team,  Coach Kevin Wambua’s side could not find a way to contain the superior-ranked opponents.

The well-oiled Los Pumas side proved its dominance, running through the Kenyan team en route to a 12-0 halftime romp.

Comeback efforts in the match were curtailed further after George Ooro was yellow-carded for an intentional block with Shujaa down 12-0.

A similar offense dogged Kenya in the final half with Vincent Onyala also sin-binned.

Repeat

Shujaa’s second engagement against France looked more like a repeat of the dismal opener as Kenya.

Patrick Odongo proved a rare bright spot for Kenya, with one of his powerful runs earning Kenya her maiden try in the series.

It, however, did little to inspire with the European side claiming the contest on a 33-7 scoreline.

The back-to-back defeats leave Kenya bottom of the group with an uphill task to climb with the final group tie against Great Britain set to further test their intent.

It remains to be seen if coach Wambua will inspire the side and inspire a change of fortune ahead of their final group clash.

The clash is set to kick off at 10:58 pm Kenyan time.

Perth performance

Shujaa entered the fourth-stop series in Vancouver and ranked ninth after finishing in 10th place in the previous rounds in Perth Australia.

Kenya’s Shujaa were aiming for a top-eight finish when they compete in the fourth leg of the HSBC Sevens Series.

After enduring a torrid campaign in 2022 and 2023, Kenya reclaimed its place in the World Rugby Sevens Series after seeing off Germany in a 33-15 in 2024.

The return to the big stage along with the big boys has however seen Kenyan on a path of mixed results as they look to regain its form of old.

Kenya last lifted the sevens title in 2016 in Singapore.