Shujaa Secure Semifinal Spot with Gritty Victory Over France at Singapore 7s
Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, pulled off a thrilling and historic 10-7 win over France to book their place in the semifinals of the 2025 Singapore Sevens. The match, played at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday, April 5, was a dramatic contest that ended a seven-game losing streak against the French.
The hard-fought victory was a major moment for Shujaa, not only ensuring progression in the HSBC SVNS Series event but also breaking the psychological hold France had held over them since 2022.
Kenya Dominate Early to Take Control
The intensity of the match was clear from the opening whistle, with referee AJ Jacobs keeping a close eye on what turned out to be a physical and emotionally charged clash. Kenya’s strategy was simple — start fast and maintain pressure. They kicked off with intent, retained possession, and pressed hard to keep the French side from finding their rhythm.
For nearly four minutes, France couldn’t even touch the ball, as Shujaa controlled every aspect of the game. This dominance paid off when Vincent Onyala crossed the whitewash, scoring the opening try after capitalising on Kenya’s aggressive forward momentum. The conversion was successful, giving Kenya a 7-0 lead and sending their supporters in the stands into loud celebrations.
France Fight Back After Halftime
France came out with renewed determination in the second half. A penalty deep in their own territory allowed them to reset from a lineout, where they finally began putting together meaningful phases of play. Their breakthrough came through Joe Queer Karaba, who used a burst of pace and power to muscle his way past Onyala for the try. With the conversion nailed, the game was suddenly level at 7-7.
For a brief moment, the momentum seemed to shift towards Les Bleus, especially after Kenya’s Patrick Odongo was forced off with a knee injury. The loss of their star speedster was a blow, but Shujaa were not ready to fold.
Defensive Brilliance and Tactical Composure Shine
Kenya regrouped, showing tremendous resilience and composure in the final minutes of the match. Dennis Abukuse played a pivotal role, executing a timely turnover that helped stem France’s momentum and reignite Kenya’s attacking push. The ball went back and forth as both teams fought for territorial control, with every pass and tackle becoming more intense as the clock ticked down.
Young talent Nygel Amaitsa stepped up when it mattered most. After already gaining crucial territory with a pinpoint kick, Amaitsa kept his cool under pressure to slot home a match-winning penalty in the dying moments of the game.
The final whistle confirmed Kenya’s 10-7 victory, sparking emotional celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
Breaking the Curse: First Win Over France Since 2022
This victory was particularly special for Kenya as it broke a seven-match losing streak to France that dated back to the Toulouse leg of the HSBC SVNS Series in 2022. The psychological barrier was finally shattered in Singapore — a city with fond memories for Kenyan fans.
It was in 2016 that Shujaa claimed their first-ever World Sevens Series tournament win in Singapore, stunning the world by beating Fiji 30-7 in a historic final. Saturday’s win over France revived memories of that glorious day, and fans will be hoping history repeats itself as Kenya heads into the semifinals.
Semifinal Bound and Believing Again
The win against France puts Shujaa firmly in the conversation as potential tournament winners, especially considering the absence of quarterfinals in the new tournament format. By topping their pool, Shujaa earned a direct ticket to the last four, showcasing how well they’ve adapted to the new structure.
Coach Kevin Wambua’s men will now look to build on their momentum, relying on their strong defensive structure, dynamic attack, and incredible mental toughness to push for a spot in the final.
We’re through to the #HSBCSVNSSGP semifinal guys
Proudly Kenyan #MpesaPowersKenya7s #SafaricomRugby #SportpesaNaShujaa #CrownPaintsShujaa pic.twitter.com/7WOpS0R0vT
— Shujaa (@KenyaSevens) April 5, 2025
The performance in Singapore also strengthens their position ahead of the crucial promotion/relegation playoffs set for Los Angeles in May. Having already missed out on the top eight overall standings, a strong finish here could boost confidence and inject belief into a team fighting for their core status in the series.
Fans Inspired as Shujaa Reignite Their Fire
Kenya’s rugby faithful have waited a long time for a performance like this. The passion, aggression, and precision shown by Shujaa against one of the toughest European teams was a throwback to their best days. It was also a powerful statement that Kenyan rugby is on the rise again.
With young players like Amaitsa stepping up, veterans like Onyala leading from the front, and a clear team spirit driving them forward, Shujaa appear to be hitting form at just the right time.
As they prepare for the semifinal, all eyes will be on whether they can turn this momentum into a title charge — just as they did in 2016.
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