Kenya 7s team Shujaa have qualified for the Singapore 7s final after overcoming Spain 12-5 in a closely contested semi-final at the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday.
The win sets up a final clash at 2:41PM (EAT) against Fiji, who beat Argentina in the second semi-final to book a date with Kenya.
This is the first time Kenya has qualified for a HSBC World Series final since 2016, coincidentally at the same Singapore 7s, which they went on to win under the tutelage of coach Benjamin Ayimba.
Kenya had a reason to believe going into the fixture, having beaten Spain 19-0 in last weekend’s Hong Kong 7s.
Patrick Odongo opened the scores with an early try, which was successfully converted by Nygel Amaitsa.
This ensured that Shujaa were 7-0 up going into the third minute.
Just before the end of the first half, Francisco Cosculluela of Spain was sent off, easing the pressure on Kenya, who now had a chance to attack more.
From a scrum deep inside Spain’s red zone, Shujaa began a move that Odongo would finish for his second try, but this time round was not converted with Amaitsa trying from a tight corner – only to slide the ball on the stick from the outside.
Although Shujaa had the 12-0 advantage going into the second half, it is Spain who showed more zeal, pushing Kenya hard but won’t find a breakthrough until in the dying minutes when Pol Pla capitalised on a defensive mishap to score – reducing the deficit to 12-5.
With Spain emphatically chasing for a last gasp try that would have possibly sent the clash into the extra time, Shujaa won a penalty and Jone Kubu shot the ball out, giving Kenya the last laugh.
Fiji on the other hand beat Argentina 33-24 to storm the final, a repeat of the 2016 Singapore 7s fiesta in which Kenya stylishly triumphed.
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