Kenya Sevens’ struggles continued at the Vancouver 7s as they suffered a crushing 24-0 defeat against Argentina in their opening pool match on Saturday, February 22. Marcos Moneta was the star of the show, scoring a first-half hat-trick that left Shujaa reeling in the cold, snowy conditions at the BK Arena in Canada.
The loss was a disappointing start for Shujaa, who had hoped to build on their 10th-place finish at the Perth 7s after a month-long break. Despite their efforts to address key weaknesses, Shujaa found themselves outclassed by a physically dominant Argentine side that capitalized on every mistake.
Moneta’s First-Half Hat-Trick Stuns Kenya
Shujaa kicked off the match determined to start strong, but Argentina quickly took control. Their tactical kicking pinned Shujaa deep in their own half, forcing Shujaa to defend from the outset. A well-placed kick into Kenya’s 22 led to an early lineout, but Argentina failed to secure possession, giving Kenya a brief reprieve.
However, the respite was short-lived. Argentina’s rapid ball movement and structured attack overwhelmed Kenya’s defensive setup, allowing Marcos Moneta to exploit a gap and sprint through for the first try. The conversion was successful, giving Argentina an early 7-0 lead.
Marcos Moneta treated us to an amazing performance, scoring a hat-trick in the first half! #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSVAN | @lospumas7arg pic.twitter.com/5UiC6N7Cqs
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 21, 2025
Shujaa’s difficulties were compounded when they lost possession in crucial moments. A misjudged lineout handed Argentina another attacking platform, and with Shujaa on the back foot, things worsened when co-captain George Ooro was shown a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown.
Argentina wasted no time in capitalizing on their numerical advantage. Quick recycling of possession saw Moneta glide past Shujaa’s scrambling defense to bag his second try of the match. Although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, Argentina remained in full control.
Shujaa attempted to regroup, but their defensive errors continued to haunt them. Just before halftime, Moneta completed his hat-trick with another devastating run, leaving the Kenyan defense in his wake. With the successful conversion, Argentina went into the break with a commanding 17-0 lead.
Argentina Dominate the Second Half
Shujaa came out in the second half determined to fight back, winning possession from a scrum and launching an early attack. However, Argentina’s disciplined defense quickly shut them down, forcing a turnover.
With Kenya pressing higher up the field, Argentina found space to strike again. Joaquín Pellandini showcased individual brilliance, weaving past defenders to score a stunning solo try. The conversion stretched Argentina’s lead to 24-0, leaving Kenya with a mountain to climb.
Shujaa finally enjoyed some sustained possession, but their attack lacked penetration. The Argentine defensive line held firm, frustrating Shujaa’s efforts to find a breakthrough. The frustration boiled over when Vincent Onyala was sent to the sin bin, further weakening Kenya’s chances of a comeback.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Argentina remained relentless. They nearly extended their lead further, but a handling error at the try line denied them another score.
Missed Opportunities and a Frustrating Finish
As the game wore on, Shujaa had a rare chance to put points on the board. Shujaa managed to break into Argentina’s territory, but a lack of clinical finishing saw them squander the opportunity.
With full-time approaching, Argentina controlled possession expertly, slowing down the tempo to deny Kenya any chance of a late resurgence. In the final play of the match, Argentina smartly kicked the ball into touch to seal a dominant 24-0 victory.
What’s Next for Shujaa?
Shujaa will have little time to dwell on their disappointing performance as they shift focus to their second pool match against France. The Paris Olympics champions are coming off a loss to Great Britain, making their upcoming clash against Shujaa a must-win for both teams.
If Kenya is to turn their fortunes around, they will need to improve their discipline, minimize handling errors, and find ways to unlock opposition defenses. The next game presents an opportunity for redemption, but Shujaa must bring their A-game to avoid another heavy defeat.
Can Shujaabounce back and secure their first win in Vancouver? Fans will be hoping for a spirited response when they take on France in their second pool match at 5:13 AM (EAT).
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