Shujaa stun South Africa to qualify for Paris Olympics
A new look Shujaa outfit stunned powerhouses South Africa 17-12 in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sunday, to qualify for the Olympic Games for the third time in a row.
Scenes of jubilation and emotions were all evident at the Harare Sports Club as Kenya sealed the automatic slot to next year's Paris Games.
Against all odds and the tournament favourites, Kevin Wambua's charges showed determination and class to qualify for the global extravaganza in superb style.
Daystar Falcons Patrick Odongo was the star of the side, scoring two tries while leaving the Blitzbokke defence for dead with John Okoth adding one try. Tony Omondi kicked one conversion as Kenya trailed 10-7 at the interval.
Christie Grobelaar and Selvyn Davids scored a try each for the South Africans, who looked sloppy and lacklustre in various facets of play in a tense game.
The win will be sweet for Shujaa, who only four months ago got relegated from the World Seven Series following a shock 12-7 loss to Canada during the relegation playoff at the London Sevens.
This was Kenya's sixth Africa Cup Sevens crown following triumphs in 2004, 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2019
Wambua was delighted with the win and qualification to the Oympics.
He said: "It's been tough, especially getting relegated at the end of last season but I and the technical bench sold to the boys a dream and they have executed it well."
"Our training camps in Nakuru helped us a lot. We are also trying to get the culture right for the players. This win shows we have the talent and the drive to go places in the next few years," noted Wambua.
Skipper Vincent Onyala said coming to the tournament with six new players was a big risk but it has paid off.
"The new players played with no fear. They just came into the side and executed the game plan very well. We know South Africa are a good side but we played to our strengths and we are delighted and happy with the victory," noted Onyala.
Kenya began the tournament with a 34-10 demolition of Nigeria before thrashing Namibia 51-0 and concluding their preliminary matches with a 38-12 win over Zambia.
In the quarterfinals, they edged Burkina Faso 26-0 to set up a semifinal showdown against Zimbabwe, which they won 35-10.
South Africa had defeated Ivory Coast 39-0, Tunisia 43-0, and Madagascar 38-14 in the pool stages. They then defeated Nigeria 27-0 in the quarterfinals before dispatching Uganda 26-14 in the semis.
Uganda bagged the bronze medal after beating hosts Zimbabwe 24-12 in the third-place playoff.
