National Rugby Sevens team co-captain Samuel Asati has praised his teammates for their efforts in retaining the Safari 7s crown, defeating a determined Shogun side 12-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos over the weekend.
Shujaa, who had been in top form throughout the week and reached the final unbeaten, had to dig deep to defend their title, especially after witnessing Kenya Lionesses fall short for the second consecutive year, losing their crown to Shogun Ladies.
Reflecting on the match, Asati emphasized the team’s resilience and determination. “The game was really tough; they pinned us in our territory early on, but we fought hard and pulled off the win. This is great preparation for the start of the World Sevens Series, and the boys got some valuable game time, which will be crucial as we get ready for the opening leg in Dubai.”
Shogun Rugby, led by former Shujaa head coach Mike Friday, reached the final after a dominant 34-14 win over Zimbabwe but came up short against the fan-favorite Shujaa. Shogun captain Carrey Osborne praised his team despite the loss but expressed frustration with the refereeing in the final, saying it made the challenge even harder.
“It’s been a pleasure working with the boys to get to the final, especially with eight different nationalities in the squad. We brought our hearts and souls into the game, showing real heart and determination to fight,” Osborne said. “A lot of calls didn’t go our way, and we’re really disappointed. It felt like we were playing against eight men. I don’t like blaming referees, but when you’re in Kenya’s hometown with officiating like that, it’s tough to compete.”
Shujaa will now enjoy a well-deserved rest before resuming training in preparation for the HSBC World Sevens Series, which begins in December.
