The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Shujaa players Kevin Wekesa (left) and Vincent Onyala react after their match at the Olympic.[World Rugby]
Kenya Sevens are out of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Shujaa were knocked out on Thursday afternoon after losing 26-0 to Samoa in a crucial Group B match played at the Stade de Paris.
Kenya needed a win to stand a chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals as one of the best losers but will now start packing their bags.
Kenya begun the match poorly after losing possession twice in the early stages as Samoa capitalised and used their big physical counter racks to destroy Shujaa racks, a tactic that paid off in the second minute when Motu Opetai broke free to score near the posts.
Surprisingly, Samoa failed to convert but took a 5-0 lead. Kenya regained possession immediately after a poor restart by Samoa but could not capitalize even after John Okoth broke free from the midfield before losing possession.
Indiscipline would haunt Shujaa moments before half time after Kevin Wekesa was sent to the bin for two minutes after a deliberate play interference at Samoan line out.
Despite trailing 5-0 at the break, the numerical disadvantage came to haunt Kenya after Samoa went 12-0 up immediately after the break.
A quick tap and go from Paul Scanlan after a penalty inside Kenya’s 22 opened up the Shujaa defense for an easy try that was converted by Falaniko Faafoi.
As soon as Wekesa returned, another indiscipline error by Shujaa took the match away from Kenya after captain Anthony Omondi was sent to the bin for deliberately kicking the ball away after a penalty that prevented a quick restart by Samoa.
With Samoa having the numerical advantage again, there was nothing the Kenyan defense could do to stop Apelu Maliko Vaa who strolled home for an easy center post try that Tom Maiava converted for a 19-0 lead.
Shujaa were put to the sword Steve Onosai in the final play of the game as Samoa won 26-0.
Kenya started their Olympics campaign on the back foot on Wednesday when they lost 31-12 and 21-7 to Argentina and Australia respectively.
Shujaa finished bottom of their group with three points.
The tournament format divides teams into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, advance to the quarterfinals.
Winners of the quarterfinals move on to the semifinals, while the losers will compete in a match for third place.
Teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will play in a mini-tournament for 5th to 8th places. The worst third-placed team and the last three teams in the group face off in the 9th to 12th place matches.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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