Kenya's Morans rugby team secured a dominant 15-0 victory over defending champions South Africa in the semifinal of the 2026 Africa Men’s 7s. The match took place at the SPARC International Rugby Stadium in Cascavelle, Mauritius. Kenya's coach, Kevin Wambua, led the team to a disciplined performance, showcasing strong attacking and defensive play. This victory marked a significant upset, as Kenya entered the semifinal as underdogs following a mixed group stage performance.
In the group stage, Kenya had a 34-12 win over Namibia and a 19-0 triumph over Réunion. However, they suffered a heavy 26-0 loss to Madagascar, which left them second in Group B. Despite this, the Morans showed resilience in the semifinal, with Elvis Olukusi playing a crucial role in Kenya's scoring. He off-loaded to Gabriel Ayimba, who broke through the South African defence for the first try, although the conversion was missed.
Before halftime, Olukusi again set up a try, finding Victor Mola on the left wing. Mola's speed secured Kenya's second try, giving them a 10-0 lead at the break. The Kenyan team continued to press in the second half, keeping South Africa pinned inside their own 22. This pressure forced another try when Olukusi supplied Ayimba for his second score, extending the lead to 15-0.
Dennis Ndayala missed the conversion on the third try, but the shutout was already decisive. This victory marked Kenya's return to the tournament final after missing the previous two editions. The win also gave the Morans a chance to avenge their 26-0 pool-stage defeat to Madagascar earlier in the competition.
Kenya will meet Madagascar in the final at 2:11 pm EAT. A win would give Kenya a record seventh Africa Men’s 7s title, their first championship since 2023. It would also halt Madagascar's recent dominance over the Morans in their last four meetings. The final promises to be an exciting matchup between two top teams.
The Morans' performance in the semifinal was a testament to their growth and determination. With a strong team effort and strategic coaching, they were able to overcome a tough opponent and secure a spot in the final. The team's progress in the tournament has been impressive, and fans are eagerly anticipating the final match.
The Africa Men’s 7s tournament has seen some exciting matches so far, and the final between Kenya and Madagascar is expected to be a thrilling encounter. The Morans will look to draw on their semifinal performance and secure a historic win against Madagascar.
Key points
- Kenya's Morans defeated South Africa 15-0 to reach the Africa Men’s 7s final.
- The team will meet Madagascar in the final, seeking a record seventh Africa Men’s 7s title.
- A win would give Kenya their first championship since 2023 and halt Madagascar's recent dominance.
