Shujaa Labour Hard to Edge Shogun as Lionesses Maul Uganda Lady Cranes to Claim 2025 Safari 7s Titles

Kenya’s men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams – Shujaa and the Lionesses – lit up the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday as they both lifted their respective 2025 Safari Sevens titles after hard-fought victories against determined opposition.

The Kenya Lionesses reclaimed their regional supremacy after a thrilling 14–10 win over arch-rivals Uganda Lady Cranes in the women’s final.

Edith Nariaka put Lionesses into the lead through a well-converted try after coasting through the Uganda defence before tearing her way through the uprights and landing it home.

Uganda would however reduce the deficit to two points a few moments later  through Comfort Angaika after a nice piece of intricate play through neat exchanges between the Lady Cranes’ players following a lapse in concentration, but the resultant try was not well converted.

Uganda would take the lead just before half time with another try by Suzan Adong, although not converted, to make it 10-7 to the good.

In the second half, Janet Okello would give Kenya driving seat control once again with a well converted try to make it 14-10, and even if they had to play the last one and a half minutes with six women, they held firm to maintain their lead, and emerge victorious in the end.

Shogun Rugby take early lead through Legoburu Anton to shush the crowd at Nyayo Stadium after Samwel Asati gave the ball away, allowing them to take advantage from a ruck before eventually carrying the ball into the other side despite Vincent Onyala’s best but futile attempts to stop him.

Shujaa thought they had reduced the deficit just before the break through Nygel Amaitsa from a drop kick which he tried to chase hard under the challenge from a Shogun player, but the referee ruled it out citing an infringement in build up.

In the men’s final, Shujaa were forced to dig deep to see off a resilient Shogun Rugby side 14–7, clinching their third consecutive Safari Sevens title.

Shogun would be reduced to six men for a few minutes, and the Kenyans would take ful advantage, with Amaitsa landing it home this time with no dispute from the referee to equalise, making it 7-7.

Shogun thought they had taken the lead again through Antonio Lopez, but it was ruled out after he was adjudged to have obstructed Kevin Wekesa, who would otherwise have been at risk of being sent off for a high tackle.

Shujaa boss Kevin Wambua then decided to sub on Chrisant Ojwang and Floyd Wabwire for Festus Shiasi and Patrick Odongo respectively, and the results bore dividends, as it was the latter who would net the winning try that was well converted in the end to give them the 14-7 win and lift their third-straight safari 7s crown.

Final Day Schedule Men – Main Cup Quarterfinals Results

Shogun 31-5 French Renegades
Morans 21-19 UK SelectKCB 10-19 Zimbabwe
Shujaa 40-0 Nyati

Men – Semifinals

Shogun Rugby 14-12 Kenya Morans
Shujaa 29-19 Zimbabwe

Men – Main Cup Final

Shujaa 14-7 Shogun Rugby

Women – Main Cup Quarterfinals Results
Uganda 34-0 Cubs
Shogun 17-12 Tunisia
Lionesses 24-5 Mwamba Select

Women – Semifinals

Uganda Lady Cranes 17-12 Costa Blanca
Kenya Lionesses 12-10 Shogun

Women – Main Cup Final

Uganda 10-14 Kenya