Singapore 7s: Kenya's Shujaa outpower Spain to reach first Main Cup final in 7 years

Kenya’s Shujaa are through to their first Main Cup final since 2018 after battling past a resilient Spain side with a gritty 12-5 win in the HSBC SVNS Series Cup semifinal on Sunday in Singapore.

Speedster Patrick Odongo struck first for Shujaa, diving over the whitewash to give Kenya an early lead which was calmly converted by Nygel Amaitsa to make it 7-0.

Odongo was at it again just before the halftime whistle, slicing through the Spanish defence to notch his second try of the game. Though the conversion was missed, Shujaa carried a solid 12-0 advantage into the break.

Spain came out swinging in the second half and were handed a lifeline when veteran Pol Pla capitalised on a miscommunication in the Kenyan backline to score a try and narrow the scoreline to 12-5.

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What followed was a tense final two minutes as Spain mounted pressure in search of an equaliser, but Shujaa showed impressive discipline and defensive organization to hold firm and seal their place in the final.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Kenya, who last appeared in a Main Cup final back in 2018. The result also highlights the remarkable resurgence of the side, powered by a mix of youthful energy and tactical grit.

Kenya will now turn their focus to the final against Fiji - who whitewashed series leaders Argenas they chase what could be their first Cup title in nine years.

The last time Kenya won a tournament was incidentally at the same venue in Singapore back in 2016 , where a Collins Injera-inspired side then coached by Benjamin Ayimba obliterated Fiji in the final