Shujaa Launch HSBC SVNS 2 Campaign with Dominant 29-12 Victory Over Canada at Home
Kenya's national men's rugby sevens team, Shujaa, kicked off their HSBC SVNS Division 2 campaign in style on Saturday, February 14, 2026, securing a convincing 29-12 win against Canada in the opening match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts dominated from the outset, showcasing sharp attacking play and strong defensive pressure to build an early lead and control the game's tempo throughout the thrilling encounter.
Shujaa raced ahead with Patrick Odongo crossing for the first try after a clever offload, converted by Nygel Amaitsa for a 7-0 advantage. Chrisant Ojwang’ added another score under the posts, followed by Odongo's second try to stretch the margin to 17-0. Canada pulled one back before halftime through Morgan Di Nardo's effort, converted by Lachlan Kratz, making it 17-7 at the break. In the second half, Canada narrowed the gap further with a try from Kalin Sager, but Shujaa responded emphatically—Nygel Amaitsa sliced through for a try he converted himself to reach 24-12, before substitute Festus Shaiusi sealed the result with a late corner score.
The emphatic performance sets a strong foundation for Shujaa as they eye promotion back to the top tier, with head coach and team focusing on tightening defense while maintaining attacking flair. Next up for Kenya is a clash against Belgium at 1:52 pm local time, followed by a showdown with Germany later in the day. The home leg at Nyayo Stadium continues to deliver excitement, with Shujaa's clinical display earning praise and boosting momentum in this crucial tournament phase.
