Shujaa finish third after USA semi loss
Kenya’s Shujaa secured third place at the Nairobi Sevens on Sunday after falling to the USA in a tightly contested semifinal at the Nyayo National Stadium. The hosts, backed by a vibrant home crowd, responded to the setback by winning the playoff to complete the tournament on the podium.
Shujaa started strongly in the semifinal but conceded crucial tries in the second half as the Americans capitalised on defensive lapses to edge ahead. Despite late pressure and a spirited fightback, Kenya could not overturn the deficit and saw their title hopes slip away.
“We gave everything, but small mistakes made the difference,” said Shujaa captain after the match. Head coach added, “Reaching the semifinals shows our growth, but we must be sharper in big moments.” A USA player noted, “Kenya pushed us hard; it was a physical battle.”
In the third-place playoff, Shujaa regained composure, moving the ball swiftly and converting key chances to seal victory. The result marks a positive step for Kenya as they continue building momentum on the World Sevens Series circuit.