BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
National Rugby Sevens team Shujaa will be returning home early after being eliminated from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games even before the official opening ceremony set for Friday evening.
Shujaa exited the Games without a single win in Group B after losing their 26-0 to Samoa on Thursday.
The match was crucial for both sides and despite a strong start with good runs by the Kenyans, it was Samoa who broke the deadlock through Motu Opetai’s try in the fourth minute for a 5-0 half time score in favour of Samoa.
In the second half, Paul Scanlan, Vaa Apelu Maliko and Steve Onosai touched down for the victors as Falaniko Faafoi, Tom Maiava and Neveli Leitufia kicked conversions for the Islanders comfortable win.
Kenya had lost their first two matches on Wednesday, going down 31-12 to Argentina and 21-7 to Australia.
In the other group B match, Australia came from behind to beat Argentina 22-14 in breath taking encounter.
Henry Hutchison, Ben Dowling, Dietrich Roache and Nick Malouf made the tries for Australia and German Schulz, Matias Osadczuk and Joaquin Pellandini touched down for Argentina.
The result meant that Australia finished on top of the Group, followed by Argentina, then Samoa. Kenya finished bottom.
According to the rules of the Games, Shujaa must leave the Olympic Village 48 hours after elimination. However, they might head to Kenya’s Olympics training base in Miramas.
