How Kenya’s Shujaa Downed Germany to Reclaim Top-Tier Sevens Series Spot
“Go for it!” was the rallying cry from Kenyans and rugby fans as the national team, Shujaa, prepared to face Germany in a decisive playoff fixture in Madrid, Spain, on June 2nd. Having narrowly lost to Germany 19-17 two weeks earlier during the Challenger Sevens Series in Munich, the Kenyans anticipated a tough match.
However, Shujaa, led by head coach Kevin Wambua and Olympian Andrew Amonde, rose to the occasion, delivering an impressive performance to win 33-15 and secure their spot in next season’s top-tier HSBC SVNS series.
Mission Accomplished for Kenya
Shujaa faced an early setback when Germany’s Chris Umwh scored, giving them a 5-0 lead. Kenya quickly responded with Vincent Onyala linking up with Kevin Wekesa before scoring, bringing the game to 5-5. Tony Onyango’s conversion made it 7-5 in favor of Shujaa.
The Kenyan team, buoyed by a large crowd, faced another challenge when Chrisant Ojwang received a yellow card for a head-on collision with a German player. Germany capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Nikolas Koch scoring to make it 10-7. Upon returning from the sin bin, Ojwang redeemed himself with a try, bringing the score to 12-10 for Shujaa at halftime.
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In the second half, Kenya extended their lead to 19-10 after John Okoth dodged German defenders to score. Germany’s Maximilian Heid narrowed the gap by scoring, creating a tense finish. However, Shujaa’s substitutes George Ooro and Kevin Wekesa each scored a try, securing a decisive victory and sweet revenge against their opponents.
Kenya Back in the Top Tier of Rugby Sevens
During the playoffs, Kenya was placed in Group B with Spain, Samoa, and Chile. They started their campaign with a 19-12 victory against Samoa on May 31st but lost 10-5 to Spain. They rebounded by defeating Chile 36-7, earning a showdown with Germany.
Coach Wambua expressed his delight, stating that the team’s hard work had paid off. “We worked hard knowing the game, which was a decider, would go our way and it happened,” said Wambua. He also praised the fans’ support in Spain, noting their significant role in motivating the players.
President Ruto Leads Celebrations
Kenya’s President William Ruto commended Shujaa for regaining their World Series spot, highlighting their achievement on social media. “Well done boys! Congratulations on bouncing back into the World Sevens Series 2025. Kenyans look forward to cheering you on next season. Pongezi Shujaa. You are a core team,” he wrote.
Shujaa player Tony Omondi attributed their success to a game-by-game strategy. “We took it one game at a time, and now we’re back at it! Huge effort from the boys. Big thanks to our fans, stakeholders, coaches, and everyone behind the scenes. This is sweet. This is for you! This is for Kenya,” said Omondi.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports lauded Shujaa, while Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba emphasized the government’s strategic role in the team’s success. “We started the long journey back to the high table of World Rugby Sevens, and we are firmly back as one of only 12 core teams globally,” said Namwamba.
Namwamba also highlighted the significance of this victory for Kenyan rugby and the country’s sports branding, noting the meticulous planning and strategic investments that contributed to Shujaa’s success.
Looking Ahead to the Paris Olympic Games
Namwamba expressed confidence in Shujaa’s potential for the Paris Olympic Games, where they have already qualified to represent Kenya. “Shujaa conquered Africa and will grace the dizzying heights of the Olympics in Paris this summer. Trust the process, always because they will shine as well in Paris. We got a plan, we are delivering the plan,” he said.
On January 8th, Namwamba delivered an encouraging speech to Shujaa as they embarked on their journey back to the World Series, emphasizing the importance of not taking their position in the world of sports for granted. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the stage and the significant investment required to succeed.
Relegation and the Path to Redemption
On May 21st, 2023, Shujaa lost their core status for the first time in 20 years after being relegated to the Challenger Series following a 12-7 defeat to Canada in the playoff finals in London. This prompted the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) to issue a statement committing to a comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap to regain their prestigious competition status.
In London, Kenya was grouped with Canada, Uruguay, and Tonga. They began with a 24-19 win over Canada and a 38-26 victory against Tonga but lost 14-10 to Uruguay, resulting in their relegation.
Shujaa’s squad for the crucial matches included Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi, Kevin Wekesa, John Okoth, Brian Tanga, George Ooro, Patrick Odongo, Samuel Asati, Herman Humwa, Nygel Amaitsa, Lamec Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang, and Brian Mutua.
Through determination and strategic play, Shujaa has not only reclaimed their spot in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series but also set a strong foundation for future successes, including the Paris Olympic Games.