Kenya’s national rugby sevens teams had mixed results at the Los Angeles Sevens on May 4, 2025. While the Shujaa men’s team fought back for a thrilling win, the Lionesses women’s team suffered consecutive defeats. Both teams played their matches at Dignity Health Sports Park, with Shujaa still in the hunt for a knockout stage spot, while the Lionesses now face an uphill battle in the HSBC Challenger Series playoffs.
Shujaa’s Comeback Victory
The Shujaa team began their Los Angeles Sevens campaign with a tough 19-12 loss to Samoa, putting pressure on them to perform in their second match. However, they bounced back in impressive fashion, defeating Portugal 26-14. This victory kept their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds alive.
Portugal struck first, with Duarte Morais scoring a try early in the match. His conversion put Portugal ahead 7-0 at halftime. But Kenya’s Shujaa squad wasn’t deterred and returned to the field with renewed energy in the second half.
Kevin Wekesa sparked Kenya’s comeback with a try, which was successfully converted by Anthony Omondi. Kenya’s momentum built further when Wekesa scored again after a smart pass from Samuel Asati. Omondi added another conversion to extend the Kenyan lead to 14-7.
Nygel Amaitsa then got in on the action, scoring a third try in the 12th minute and converting it himself. This was his third try of the tournament. Patrick Odongo, Kenya’s leading try scorer this season, sealed the win with a fourth try, his 21st of the season.
Portugal had a late attempt to challenge Kenya’s lead with a consolation try from Max Coutts, but it wasn’t enough. With the 26-14 win, Shujaa leveled their points with Samoa, both teams now on four points, while the USA leads the group with six.
Shujaa’s final group match against the USA will take place at 9:20 p.m. EAT, and it will be crucial for their chances to advance to the knockout stage.
Lionesses Face Tough Start
On the women’s side, the Kenya Lionesses struggled in their opening games of the HSBC Challenger Series playoffs. They were defeated 33-14 by Spain and later suffered a 28-10 loss to Brazil. Despite a strong start in both matches, the Lionesses couldn’t maintain their momentum and now face a tough challenge ahead.
In their first match, Spain dominated early with tries from Marta Cantabrana and Stela Juana, both converted by Carmen Miranda. Kenya showed resilience, with Freshia Oduor scoring a try and Grace Okulu adding another. However, Spain’s five tries secured their victory, and Kenya couldn’t recover from the early deficit.
Against Brazil, the Lionesses had a promising start when Sheila Chajira scored a try in the third minute. However, Brazil quickly responded through Bianca Silva and a powerful performance by Raquel Kochhann, who scored a try and converted two others. Brazil’s performance was further bolstered by a late yellow card on Kenya’s Phoebe Otieno, allowing Brazil to capitalize on the extra space. Despite a late consolation try from Sinaida Nyachio, Brazil’s 28-10 win left the Lionesses with a tough road ahead.
The Lionesses will now face Colombia in their final Pool A clash at 8:44 a.m. EAT on Sunday. This match is crucial, as only the top four teams from the playoffs will advance to the newly structured 2026 HSBC SVNS Division 2. Kenya’s promotion hopes now rest on securing a win against Colombia.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
The results of the Los Angeles Sevens leave Kenya’s men and women’s teams with contrasting paths. For Shujaa, the pressure is on as they prepare for their final group match against the USA. A win would secure their spot in the knockout stages, while a loss would send them home early.
The Lionesses, on the other hand, have their backs against the wall. With only one match left in their pool, their hopes of advancing depend on a strong performance against Colombia. A win is crucial for their chance to move forward in the HSBC Challenger Series playoffs and secure a place in Division 2.
The next 24 hours will be decisive for both teams as they fight for their futures in the global rugby scene. Fans are hopeful that both teams can rise to the occasion and bring pride to Kenya.
