Kenya's national rugby team, Shujaa, has won their fifth consecutive Safari 7s title after defeating the Kenya Morans 24-5 in the final at Nyayo National Stadium. The match was a highly anticipated all-Kenyan showdown, with both teams entering the game unbeaten throughout the weekend. Shujaa's victory marks their 15th overall title in the tournament. The win was sealed with a four-try blitz in the second half, led by Rayvon Ambale, Victor Mola, Festus Shiasi, and John Okoth.
The first half of the match was a physical and scoreless affair, with Shujaa's scrum-half Samwel Asati receiving a yellow card for a cynical breakdown infringement. Despite being a man down, Shujaa's defense held strong, and the Morans were unable to capitalize on their advantage. The Morans had a late first-half try ruled out by the match officials, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime. Shujaa's technical bench reflected post-match that they had to remain patient after a tight first half.
Shujaa adjusted their tempo immediately after the restart, with playmaker Rayvon Ambale breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute. Ambale sold a dummy to the Morans' drift defense before diving under the posts and converting his own try for a 7-0 lead. Two minutes later, winger Victor Mola gathered loose ball and danced past two defenders to stretch the advantage to 14-0. Power runner Festus Shiasi and center John Okoth quickly added two more unconverted tries as Shujaa took control of the match.
The Morans scored a late consolation try when substitute Harrison Mauve broke clear before feeding Dennis Ndayala. However, it did little to alter the outcome, as Shujaa secured a 24-5 victory. The win extends Shujaa's unbeaten streak at the tournament to 29 consecutive matches, re-establishing their dominance over the annual showpiece. Shujaa's dominant Sunday campaign included blowout victories over Wonder 7s and French Renegades.
The day concluded with a double celebration for the home fans as the Kenya Lionesses successfully defended their women's crown with a 21-5 triumph over the Uganda Lady Cranes. With the 2026 Safari 7s title secured, Kenya Shujaa now turn their attention to final preparations for the upcoming 2026–27 HSBC SVNS circuit. The team is buoyed by deep squad depth across both national setups.
Shujaa's victory marks a significant milestone for the team, who have now won five consecutive Safari 7s titles. The team's experience and clinical execution made the difference in the match, according to their technical bench. The win also highlights the team's ability to perform under pressure, having come from a scoreless first half to secure a convincing victory.
The 2026 Safari 7s title is the latest achievement for Shujaa, who have established themselves as a dominant force in African rugby. The team's focus will now shift to the upcoming HSBC SVNS circuit, where they will look to build on their success and continue to develop their squad depth. Key to their success has been their ability to adapt and execute their game plan effectively.
Key points
- Shujaa secure fifth consecutive Safari 7s title with 24-5 win over Kenya Morans
- The victory marks Shujaa's 15th overall title in the tournament
- Shujaa's unbeaten streak at the tournament now stands at 29 consecutive matches
