Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, the Morans, faced a challenging second leg of the 2024 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s, ultimately finishing in sixth position. This result mirrors their performance in the first leg of the tournament, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggles to secure a higher placement.
Early Game Dynamics
The first half of their crucial match against Burkina Faso was marked by a tense back-and-forth, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. The game saw an early knock-on by Burkina Faso, which denied them a potential try after Kenya conceded possession. This early mistake set the tone for a fiercely contested match.
Shifts in Momentum
The momentum briefly shifted in favor of Burkina Faso when a mispass by Kenya nearly led to another scoring opportunity for their opponents. However, Burkina Faso failed to control the loose ball at the try line, keeping the scoreline unchanged. The match was temporarily halted due to an injury to a Burkina Faso player during the scramble for the ball.
Scoring Opportunities
Following the restart, Burkina Faso executed a series of impressive passes from a lineout, culminating in a well-deserved try by Victor Mola. However, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 5-0. Burkina Faso’s aggressive play continued into the second half, where they employed a strategic kick-and-chase tactic that forced a turnover deep in Kenya’s territory. They swiftly converted this opportunity into their second try, this time successfully adding the conversion to extend their lead to 12-0.
Kenya’s Response
Kenya managed to break their scoreless streak with a try from Amon Wamalwa, which was converted by Dennis Abukuse. This brought the score to 12-7, giving Kenya a glimmer of hope for a comeback. However, their optimism was short-lived as a handling error gave Burkina Faso another chance to attack. They capitalized on this mistake, weaving through Kenya’s defense to score a spectacular try, followed by a successful conversion, making the score 19-7.
Final Push
Despite a valiant effort in the closing minutes, Kenya was unable to bridge the gap. Burkina Faso managed to score another try, sealing their victory with a final score of 21-12. This defeat saw the Morans finishing in sixth place for the second consecutive leg of the tournament.
Morans Squad in Mauritius
- Brian Mutua (CC)
- Ben Salem (CC)
- William Mwanji
- Dennis Abukuse
- Elvis Olukusi
- Richard Liva
- Gabriel Ayimba
- Harmony Wamalwa
- Festus Shiasi
- Joel Inzuga
- Victor Odhiambo
- Edmund Anya
Head Coach: Louis Kisia
Team Manager: Morgan Ngumbi
Physio: John Elly
Analyzing the Performance
The Kenya Morans displayed moments of brilliance but were ultimately hampered by critical errors and missed opportunities. Their ability to convert possession into points was inconsistent, and handling errors at crucial moments allowed their opponents to capitalize and secure victories. The team’s defense, while resilient at times, often fell short against the aggressive plays of their opponents.
Learning from Defeat
As they reflect on their performance in both legs of the 2024 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s, the Morans will need to address several key areas for improvement. Enhancing their handling skills, improving their defensive strategies, and maintaining composure under pressure will be critical for their future success. The coaching staff, led by Louis Kisia, will undoubtedly focus on these aspects in their training sessions.
Looking Ahead
The Morans’ journey in the Rugby Africa Men’s 7s is far from over. Despite the setbacks, the team has shown potential and determination. Their ability to bounce back from defeats and learn from their experiences will be crucial as they prepare for future tournaments. The support from fans and the rugby community in Kenya will be vital in motivating the team to achieve better results.
Conclusion
The Kenya Morans’ performance in the second leg of the 2024 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s highlighted both their strengths and areas needing improvement. While the sixth-place finish was disappointing, it provides valuable lessons for the team as they strive to improve and compete at higher levels. With continued effort and strategic adjustments, the Morans can look forward to a more successful future in international rugby sevens.
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