Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, returned to the global spotlight by securing promotion to Division 1 after an outstanding performance in the third leg of the 2026 HSBC SVNS Challenger Series in São Paulo, Brazil.
Heading into the finale, Kenya was third in the standings but delivered dominant wins against top sides including Germany, Canada, the USA, and Uruguay. Key players like Patrick Odongo, Vincent Onyala, George Ooro, and Denis Abukuse led the charge, with Pettersan Amaitsa providing reliable conversions, ensuring Shujaa finished third overall and earned a place in the elite division alongside the USA, Germany, and Belgium.
Shujaa’s campaign included emphatic victories such as a 38-7 demolition of Germany, a 40-0 rout of Canada, and a 31-14 win over the USA, showcasing their attacking depth and speed. Despite a setback against Belgium, the team’s consistent performance through the series, combined with strong leadership from co-captain Samuel Asati and guidance from head coach Kevin Wambua, cemented their promotion. The squad will now compete in the opening leg of the 2026 HSBC World Championship in Hong Kong from April 17 to 19.
On the women’s side, the Kenya Lionesses faced mixed results in São Paulo. They claimed victories over South Africa, Spain, and China, including a dominant 46-0 win against China, but losses to Argentina and hosts Brazil prevented them from securing a top-four finish. The Lionesses finished second in the São Paulo leg and fifth overall in the series, narrowly missing promotion to Division 1. Despite the disappointment, the campaign highlighted their competitiveness and potential for the upcoming international tournaments.
