Shujaa bag first win to advance to Dubai 7s main cup quarter final

The men's national 7s side, Shujaa, finally recorded their first win at the second Dubai Sevens tournament as they managed a 26-14 victory against Canada in their final pool B match played on Friday evening at the Sevens Stadium to book their spot in the main cup contention.

Prior to the match, Shujaa had lost 21-14 to Australia in their opening group fixture before disappointingly bowing to a late 24-21 loss to USA in their second game.

However, in the final group game, a Johnstone Olindi brace and the refreshed legs of Edmond Anya and Alvin 'Buffa' Otieno helped to see the Innocent 'Namcos' Simiyu coached side to the last eight of the tournament.

Needing nothing short of a win to have any chances of qualifying, Shujaa were immediately on the backfoot when Brennig Prevost gave the Canadians an early lead with the game’s opening try, Cooper Coats successfully adding the twos to give them a 0-7 lead.

Two quick tries from Buffa and Olindi in the space of two minutes however gave Kenya the driving seat at the half time break as they went in leading 14-7 after Anthony Omondi successfully converted both efforts.

Dubai7s: Shujaa suffer last-minute heartache against the USA

Through, Thomas Isherwood, the Canadians managed to restore parity in the game after beating the Kenyan defense with some industrious play.

Anya however restored the lead for Kenya as he made an instant impact after coming on, delicately slicing the Canadian defense before unleashing a clean pair of wheels for over half the field’s length. Olindi was then at hand to seal the deal as he landed his brace that acted as the last meaningful moment of the game, Shujaa winning 26-14 and consequently advancing as one of the two best losers under fortuitous circumstances.