Singapore 7s: Shujaa off to strong start with win over Ireland
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 05.04.25. | 08:30
The second half saw Kenya reduced to six men after Wekesa was shown a yellow card, but the team held their nerve.
Kenya Sevens national team, Shujaa, began their Singapore 7s campaign on a high, securing a commanding 17–7 victory over Ireland in their opening match at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday, April 5.
The win puts Shujaa firmly in control of their semi-final destiny, with just one more pool game standing between them and the final four.
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With the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS Series adopting a new format that skips the quarterfinal stage, the path to the semis is now straightforward: Shujaa need just one more win—against France at 11:00 a.m. local time—to confirm their place.
Both Kenya and Ireland are already set for the relegation/promotion playoffs in Los Angeles this May, having failed to finish in the top eight of the overall standings.
However, that didn’t dull the intensity on the pitch. Ireland, finalists in Singapore last year and narrow 19–14 winners over Kenya in their last meeting in Vancouver, came into the match as slight favourites.
But it was Shujaa who made the early statement.
Nygel Amaitsa lit up the opening stages with a dazzling show-and-go, slicing through the Irish defence to score the first try of the match. He added the extras for a 7–0 lead. Kenya kept their foot on the gas, and Kevin Wekesa bulldozed over for the second try to give the East Africans a healthy halftime advantage.
The second half saw Kenya reduced to six men after Wekesa was shown a yellow card, but the team held their nerve.
A combination of disciplined defence and smart game management helped them win key penalties and keep the Irish at bay.
Patrick Odongo then sealed the result with a trademark poacher’s finish, diving over from close range for Shujaa’s third try. It also marked Odongo’s 18th try of the series. Ireland managed a late consolation score, but it was too little, too late.
The victory marked a significant moment for Kenya, who returned to Singapore 3,227 days after their historic tournament triumph in 2016.
With confidence high and a semifinal spot within reach, Kevin Wambua’s side now shifts focus to their final Pool B match against France at 11:00 a.m.
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