In what was a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 Perth Sevens, the Kenyan Sevens team, known commonly as Shujaa, faced an unexpected and intense showdown against rugby giants Fiji in their second Group C match. Under the guidance of coach Kelvin Wambua, Shujaa stunned spectators with a stunning 14-0 lead, showcasing early dominance thanks to the gritty efforts of Nygel Amaitsa and Samwel Asati, with Anthony Omondi successfully converting their efforts into points.
However, the match took a surprising twist as Fiji, driven by the undeniable talent of Joji Nasova, surged back into the game, overturning Kenya's early advantage. Nasova's two pivotal tries proved game-changers, with Iowane Teba deftly executing conversions that ultimately sealed a 21-14 victory for the Fijian team. This loss marked a hard-hitting blow for the Kenyans, who had previously faced defeat at the hands of New Zealand with a 29-14 scoreline.
Kenya's journey in the Perth Sevens saw them transitioning from potential front-runners to a team facing early exit challenges. They were placed at the bottom of Group C, gaining only a single point. On the opposite spectrum, Uruguay emerged as the unforeseen leaders of the group. Their impressive performance was characterized by victories over some of the most formidable teams, including their 24-17 victory against Fiji and a narrow 17-14 win against New Zealand.
The unexpected ascension of Uruguay to group leaders stirred the dynamics of the tournament, with both Fiji and New Zealand progressing to the Main Cup quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Kenya's Shujaa had to recalibrate their focus toward ninth-place classification matches. Their captain, George Ooro, suffered a shoulder injury leading to strategic reshuffling with Vincent Onyala stepping in. Though Shujaa's initial play demonstrated glimpses of promise, inconsistencies and missed opportunities in defense as well as the final half of the Fiji match, notably by Patrick Odongo, were instrumental in their downfall.
The 2025 Perth Sevens presented a mosaic of sporting highs and lows, where Uruguay's achievements echoed as one of its significant surprises. Despite their challenges, Shujaa's effort and potential left an indelible impression among fans and the sporting community, including support from SportPesa Co-CEO Ronald Karauri, who joined the chorus applauding their fighting spirit.
