Kenya thrash Mauritius to kick off Africa Sevens title defense on a high

Kenya Sevens take to the field duirng the Africa Sevens championship in Mauritius. [KRU Media]

Returning Shujaa star Edmund Anya and Benson Salem each scored a brace as Kenya Sevens kicked off their Africa Sevens title defense with a commanding 40-0 win over hosts Mauritius on Saturday morning.

Anya who last played for Kenya when Shujaa were relegated from the World Rugby Sevens Series gave the East Africans the perfect start when he went over for a 5-0 lead after missed conversion before Dennis Abukuse doubled the lead for Kenya by breaking on the left side for a 12-0 score.

A quick tap and go following a penalty saw captain Salem race down for the third try, giving Kenya a 19-0 lead against the hosts at half time.

In the final half, Elvis Olukusi grabbed a center post try to impose Kenya’s dominance further before Anya sold a pair of wheels to score his second try.

Salem also bagged a brace, benefiting from an offload to score a centre post try and sealing a comfortable 40-0 win for Kenya.

Other results saw South Africa Blitzboks see off Zambia 31-7, Zimbabwe run over Algeria 52-0, Burkina Faso humble Tunisia 24-10, Madagascar run over Nigeria 36-14 and Uganda come from behind to edge out Ivory Coast 22-17.