Kenya’s Shujaa no match to Samurais in Safari Sevens
Former Kenya Sevens coach Mike Friday guided Samurai International to their maiden Safari Sevens victory on Sunday, beating Kenya Shujaa 20-19 in a cracking final at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium.
Martin Ignaccio touched down a brace of tries as former Kenya Sevens international Oscar Ouma and Sammy Oliech went for a try each to hand Samurai victory.
Skipper Andrew Amonde, Augustine Lugonzo and Frank Wanyama crossed the line once each for Shujaa as Biko Adema made two conversions but all was in vain.
The pulsating match saw Shujaa’s William “Lomu” Ambaka and Francisco Hernandez of Samurai sin-binned for foul play.
It was joy for Samurai, who lost in the final twice in 1998 and 2011.
“It’s good to come back in Kenya after two years to win,” said Friday, who is also the USA Sevens head coach.
“The three Kenyan players in my team Ouma, Oliech and Felix Ayange emptied the tank for me. We went for the hunt as a pride and its good to win.”
Friday was full of praise for Shujaa: “They are at a good place where that talent should be harnessed.”
Shujaa scored four tries and two conversions to annihilate their 2016 Rio Olympics qualifier rivals Zimbabwe Cheetahs 24-0 in the semis.
New kid on the block Frank Wanyama, Ken Moseti, Ambaka and Alvin Otieno crossed the line once each as Moseti and Adema converted two of the tries.