Shujaa thump Zambia, but its not enough

The national rugby sevens team Shujaa rounded off their group matches with a 47-0 pummeling of Zambia but their ruthless display was not enough to salvage a place in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals.

Shujaa could only achieve a second place finish in Pool C behind New Zealand who had inflicted a 40-7 loss on the Kenyans before going on to defeat Canada 33-7 to end at the top.

Innocent Simiyu’s charges had expressed their intent to end Kenya’s barren return at the quadrennial showpiece having never achieved a finish higher than seventh but those ambitions were dented by the defeat to the All Blacks.

Shujaa offered the response Simiyu would have wanted against Zambia, leading 33-0 at the interval thanks to tries from Arthur Owira, Jeff Oluoch, Nelson Oyoo, Billy Odhiambo and Collins Injera with Eden Agero slotting in four conversions.

The Kenya Harlequins star, went on to convert further tries from Menengai Cream Homeboyz Jeff Oluoch and Top Fry Nakuru speedster Nelson Oyoo to seal the win.

Earlier Nanai-Seturo scored a first half brace to set New Zealand on the driving seat of Pool C after spotting a haggard Kenyan defence and acres of space behind the Kenyan defence to score a beauty.

Sione Molia scored a stunning individual effort, bursting through three Kenyan tacklers to dive in under the posts.

Soon after the interval, Regan Ware,Scott Curry and Andy Knewstubb each scored for a 40 pointer advantage for the New Zealand side with Impala Saracens Sammy Oliech scoring a late consolation for Kenya.

Shujaa had earlier kicked off their campaign on a positive note with a 26-10 comeback over Canada.

Canadian scrumhalf Nathan Hirayama put the Canadians ahead for a 5-0 lead but talisman Collins Injera scored on the stroke of half time to tie the game at 5-5 all at the interval.

A Jeff Oluoch’s try saw the Innocent Simiyu coached side lead by 12-5 up but Canada replied through Justin Douglas’ which went unconverted effort the score’s scores to 12-10 Kenya still leading.

Willy Ambakas individual effort from kick off to score under the posts and Oyoo bursting through the Canadians saw them touch down to win the game for Kenya with a 26-10 scoreline.

Only the top teams qualified for the Semifinals set to be played tomorrow at the Robin Stadium.

New Zealand, England, Fiji and South Africa are the last four top teams set to fight it out for a silverware at the Commonwealth game’s with Shujaa bowing out.

Shujaa will jet back to the country and get their preparations underway for the Singapore Sevens set to kick off on the 28 April 2018.