Shujaa face uphill task in Uruguay after thrashing by Georgia

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RUGBY Shujaa face uphill task in Uruguay after thrashing by Georgia

Joel Omotto 09:04 - 09.03.2024

Kenya Sevens have their work cut out in Uruguay after securing a hard-fought win against Portugal before being demolished by Georgia in their Challenger Series group matches.

Kenya Sevens suffered a setback in their quest for promotion back to the World Sevens Series following one win and a loss in the second 2024 Challenger Series leg in Uruguay.

Shujaa started their campaign in Montevideo with a 19-12 victory against Portugal in their Group A opener when Kevin Wekesa, Tony Omondi and debutant Chrisant Ojwang were the toast for Kevin Wambua’s men as they landed tries, one converted, to hand them the win.

It was not, however, free flowing for Kenya who had to come back to secure the win which showed the work they had to do against Georgia in the second match.

Their fears were confirmed when they were totally dominated by the Georgians who run out 17-0 winners on Saturday morning.

Kenya’s defence was easily sliced open while they did not offer much in attack, Nikoloz Rekhviashvili scoring two quick tries, one converted, to send the Europeans ahead before Davit Imnadze sealed the win.

The outcome of the opening two games leaves Kenya under pressure heading into their final group match against Tonga on Saturday night as they are bottom of the group with three points, same as Georgia, while Portugal and Tonga have four apiece.

Wambua’s men must therefore secure a win to make it to the cup quarter-final or risk dropping out having come into the tournament top of the standings after winning the title in the opening led in Dubai in January.

Shujaa beat Chile 12-5 in the cup final to lift the trophy in Dubai, which left them top of the standings with 20 points and came out of the tournament with five wins and one defeat.

They have not looked as formidable in Uruguay, however, and will have to up the ante to maintain the good run as the top four teams in the standings at the end of the third round in May will take their place alongside the bottom four teams from Sevens World Series in the promotion-relegation tournament at the Grand Final in Madrid.

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