The Shujaa booked their ticket to the 2016 Olympic games with 21-17 win against Zimbabwe in what can only be described as a ‘heart-attack inducing’ final, at the Barnard Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Kenya 7s breezed past their opposition in Pool A, to finish top of the 12 team log at the end of Day 1. Posting 50-5, 27-0 and 46-0 results against Mauritius, Senegal and Madagascar respectively.
For the quarter finals, Kenya would meet Madagascar, the side they had beaten 46-0 at the end of Day 1, almost matching that result with a 41-0 thumping to book a semi final berth against Tunisia, who beat Uganda 19-14.
Other quarter final results saw Morocco beat Namibia 22-15, to set up a semi final showdown against Zimbabwe who beat Nigeria 29-10.
Again the Shujaa displayed their class, building on a 21-5 half time lead to post a 42-12 final score. We were now 20 minutes away from that Olympic ticket, what stood between us and that ticket, was a spirited Zimbabwe side who had beaten Morocco 26-0.
Heading into the final, many had expected the Shujaa to once again boss the proceedings, as they had over the two days, against a side they had beaten 24-0 at the 2015 Safari 7s semi final in their last meet. Nobody could have prepared the two sets of fans for the showdown that was awaiting them.
Perhaps suffering from the weight of the occasion, Eden Agero sent his kick off straight out, gifting Zimbabwe with possession. The Cheetahs would put together some great phases, with it gaining some precious territory. The Kenyan defence did well to hold on during the first 2-3 minutes.
Finally it was time for the Shujaa to have ball in hand, making most of their possession with Andrew Amonde going over for a converted try, the score board reading 7-0. That try should have settled any nerves in the Kenyan side and put them on the driver’s seat of proceedings, after that torrent start by Zimbabwe.
It however didn’t, as we again scuffed the kick off, to hand Zimbabwe possession. This time they found a way past the Kenya defence to score an unconverted try and make it 7-5. The Cheetahs were growing in confidence as the Shujaa struggled to get any momentum going.
It was then inevitable for Zimbabwe to take a deserved lead just before the break, scoring a try off a sustained period of pressure, to make the score 12-7 at the breather.
In all honesty the Shujaa hadn’t really been tested this far in the tournament, in those opening 10 minutes they were made to look like an ordinary side by a determined Zimbabwe. Perhaps it was the weight of the occasion, or maybe we had just grown a bit too confident of ourselves. Whatever it was, it needed sorting as ahead of the side were 10 crucial minutes of play.
The second half saw Zimbabwe pick up from where they left, denying the Shujaa possession and playing in the right areas. Shujaa have to be commended for keeping the score at 12-7 during this period. Kenya were feeding off scraps for a large part of the second half with the Olympic hopes now dangling on a string as the clocked ticked away.
With less than 2 minutes to go, Kenya were finally into Zimbabwe territory and enjoying some good possession. Collins Injera would then hand his side the lead after breaking clear to score under the posts and convert to make it 14-12.
Moments later, Zimbabwe were down to 6 men, after one of their players was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock on. It was line out Kenya, inside the Zimbabwe 22, with barely a minute to the hooter, surely Kenya had this one wrapped up, or so we thought.
Shujaa won the line out and looked to immediately capitalise on the numbers advantage by swinging the ball wide. It was then that the tie turned on its head, an intercepted pass saw the Cheetahs score to get back into the lead at 17-14 with virtually no time on the clock.
Anguish, disbelief, heart break, disappointment bordering on anger, were some of the emotions running through the Kenya 7s fan, as the buzzer went right after Zimbabwe scuffed the conversion. There was still time for one more attack, with the Cheetahs kicking the ball to us.
They opted to kick it deep, a decision they will live to regret, as the next 30 or so seconds showed. The ball went through two hands, before reaching one Dennis Ombachi just inside our 22, what followed is a tale of sheer determination and absolute brilliance. Fully deserving of folk lore status.
To describe this moment as ‘poetry in motion’, would be to do it a great injustice. This was a thing of unrivaled and stunning sagaciousness.
Ombachi shifted the ball to his left arm, and with his right went on to deliver the most devastating and yet brutally beautiful pair of ‘pangas’ you will ever see. Before stepping inside the two covering defenders to score.
What was anguish a few seconds before had now been turned into uncontrollable jubilation, tears of bitter disappointment had now turned to sweet ones of sheer joy. The disbelief was well, still disbelief, but this was an absolutely sweet sense of disbelief. Did anyone see the conversion? Full time score, 21-17.
This win ranks high up there on the list of all time favourites alongside the win over New Zealand at Wellington a few years back. It is rather sad that it came against Zimbabwe, hehe. Credit to the Cheetahs who again showed us that the margins in the sevens game are narrowing pretty fast. All the best to them as they take on the Repechage.
Finally, I would like to salute one gallant warrior in that sevens squad, a true stalwart of a leader, the personification of determination, selflessness and true character. A dedicated servant of Kenya rugby and the current captain, Andrew Amonde.
After receiving news of his sister’s demise on Saturday evening, Andrew still woke up on Sunday to lead his side to Olympic qualification. Words fail me at this point as I try to describe my sense of pride in Andrew. May the good Lord bless him immensely for the great sacrifice he made for his country. May he also see Andrew and family through this trying time.
Here is a recap of our road to Rio campaign:
Day 1
Kenya 50-5 Mauritius
Kenya 27-0 Senegal
Kenya 46-0 Madagascar
Day 2
Kenya 41-0 Madagascar
Kenya 42-12 Tunisia
Kenya 21-17 Zimbabwe
One more time, RIO HERE WE COME!!!
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
