Safari Sevens 2024 edition has concluded with fan moments at the Kenyatta Stadium. Rugby women’s players taking part in Safari Sevens 2024 edition.
Kenya’s Premier Rugby 7s tournament took place in Machakos between Friday, October 11, and Sunday, October 13. For the first time, the three-day rugby tournament took place outside Nairobi County, bringing together stakeholders, players, and fans. In case you missed it, here is what went down:
Day 1
The action-packed weekend began promptly on Friday afternoon with a set of curtain-raiser varsity games setting the tone for the tournament early. All teams brought their best to the field of play, resulting in several pulsating matches, including a close 10-7 win for Kenya Harlequins against Uganda, 10-7, a 45-0 thumping of Qatar by Kenya’s Varsity Select team, and a 24-14 Shujaa win over the Lions to mark the end of Day 1 in Machakos. Rugby men’s team during a match at the Safari Sevens 2024 edition.
Day 2
Day 2 started bright and early, with a 9 a.m. kick-off between Kenya Lionesses and Shogun UK. The Kenyan side set the tone for the day with a 29-0 win. The following matches did not disappoint, with several standout score lines, including an impressive 45-0 win by Uganda over Qatar 45-0 and a Kenya Shujaa demolition of the same team, this time by 45-0. An impressive draw between Kenya Morans and Shogun Rugby of 19 apiece was a standout game as the action came to a close, setting up a mouth-watering Sunday finale. Artists entertaining fans at Safari Sevens 2024 edition. As the sun set over Machakos to close day 2, the daytime rugby action gave way to evening festivities, with Kenyan rugby’s official beer, Tusker, taking centre stage. Several acts captured the crowd of thousands on the ground, including the soulful duo of Vijana Baru Baru, belting out moving Kenyan tunes, the self-proclaimed Mr. Sherehe, DJ Grauchi, and others, leaving revellers looking forward to the final day of the three-day rugby bonanza.
Day 3
The final day featured the final group games and knockout stage fixtures throughout the morning hours. Fans were surprised by an early exit from the tournament by National Sevens Circuit winners Kenya Harlequin to Zimbabwe. Rugby 7s players pose for a photo at the Safari Sevens 2024 edition. The knockout stage action set the stage nicely for unmissable final games in both the men’s and women’s categories. Costa Blanca narrowly defeated Kenya Lionesses 24-10 after a valiant display by the Kenyan ladies. On the men’s side, an enthralling battle took place with our very own Kenya Shujaa making it a three-peat with a 12-0 defeat over UK select team Shogun Rugby.
The fact that the final losers were coached by former Kenya Shujaa Coach Mark ‘Otoyo’ Friday made the win that much sweeter for the Kenyans. Rugby men’s team winners at the Safari Sevens 2024 edition.The final whistle blew and concluded the Safari Sevens and brought the curtains down on a long season of 7s rugby across the country. Tusker took over yet again for the final hurrah for the weekend at the Fans’ Village. Safari Sevens 2024 edition concluded in festivities and entertainment.
Performances by local sensation Miama saw revellers get a treat of Kamba music across his 1-hour set. Other acts for the night included DJs JR and Final cut. DJ DaQ Child then took to the stage to close out the 2024 edition of the Safari Sevens Tournament in Machakos.
by Wycliffe Musalia