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Kenya Lionesses tear apart Argentina to make Poland semis as Shujaa fall short to battling Germany in Munich.
The Kenya Lionesses hopes of making the playoffs in Madrid were kept alive as they thrashed Argentina in Poland 22-5 on Sunday afternoon.
Shujaa, who themselves still have a high chance of making the Playoffs in Germany, were upset by a spirited 6-man Germany 19-17 to fail to make the semis for the first time since the start of the Challenger season.
Here is a recap of the quarter final action by both Kenyan sides on Sunday morning:
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17:04 - 18.05.2024
Shujaa on course to securing season’s target after double wins in Munich
Kenya Sevens kept their dreams of reaching the World Series promotion playoff alive after winning their opening two group games at the Challenger Series finale in Munich.
Shujaa shocked by Germany
Rallied by their home support, Germany drew first blood with a well converted try early, to temporarily distract their momentum.
However, Patrick Odongo showed why he has been winning plaudits ever since breaking through last September. After John Okoth did well to maintain his composure maneuvering through the Germany attack, he found Odongo down the right, before the Daystar Falcons winger sped down the right flank to land a try which was not converted.
Nigel Amaitsa would then make it two after the Germans were unable to handle their physicality, which prompted head coach Kevin Wambua to excitedly shout “one more!” from the touchline.
Kevin Wekesa was temporarily sent to the bins after tackling a Germany player by his feet while in flight to catch the ball. Germany would be reduced to ten men permanently when Ben Ellerman was sent off for attempting to elbow Okoth, and now the Kenyans would have an advantage awaiting for Wekesa to resume.
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18:07 - 31.03.2024
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They did however take the 12-10 lead before the break. Their lead would not last long though, as John Okoth would put the Kenyans ahead again with a try well converted by Brian Tanga- playing as a fly-half for the day. Germany refused to give up and made it 19-17 to the good.
Lionesses tear apart Jaguars
Over in Poland, Kenya tore aside Argentina 22-5 thanks to a dominant first half that saw them net four tries in the first half, to cement a place in the semi-finals.
The Lionesses portrayed their dominance and significance from the get-go, out
After adopting a patient approach in the first three minutes, keeping possession, the Lionesses drew first blood when Judith Okumu found a yard of pace down the left before charging towards the tryline and landing the first try of the afternoon, but it was converted.
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14:12 - 10.05.2024
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Shujaa sensation Patrick Odongo makes a return to the squad for the monumental Poland challenger, as three who were part of the trip to Uruguay are dropped.
Stella Wafula would then make it two tries, this time well converted by Sinadia Nyachio, to make it 12 heading into the break.
Phoebe Otieno would then make it three tries, although it was not well converted and now, the Kenyans were in their groove, before Sharon Ouma headed another to make it 22-0 into the break.
Michaella Pallero would then be sent to the bin for two minutes to make things go from bad to worse for the Jaguars, and now Kenya had the opportunity to completely kill it off. They did however claw one back with an unconverted try just over a minute from time.
The try proved too little, too late, as the Kenyans had enough to maintain their considerable lead to get the valuable win. It is now the second time they have beaten the Argentines, having whipped them in Dubai last January.
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