Kenya Shujaa Crowned Safari Sevens Champions for Fifth Year Running
The 2026 SportPesa-sponsored Safari Sevens rugby tournament concluded on October 11, 2026, with Kenya’s national men’s team, Shujaa, clinching the championship on home soil for the fifth straight time.
The tournament brought together 18 teams from multiple nations, celebrating the strength, talent, and potential of African rugby. Hosted at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, the 28th edition of the Safari Sevens drew a record crowd of more than 16,000 spectators for premier regional and international competition.
In a historic first for the tournament, the men’s final featured an all-Kenyan derby between the senior national team, Kenya Shujaa, and the development squad, Kenya Morans. After a scoreless first half marked by tight defensive play, Shujaa broke the deadlock after the restart and powered to a 24–5 victory. Tries from Rayvon Ambale, Victor Mola, Festus Shiasi and John Okoth secured the win, while Dennis Ndayala scored a late consolation try for the Morans.
The triumph marked Shujaa’s fifth consecutive Safari Sevens title, extended its unbeaten tournament streak to 29 matches, and brought its overall tally to 15 titles. Victor Mola finished as the tournament’s top try-scorer, with eight tries, while Elvis Olukusi was named Player of the Final.
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The host nation also celebrated success in the women’s competition, where the Kenya Lionesses defended their title with a 22–5 win over Uganda. Additionally, South Africa’s SportPesa Forward RFC made an impressive tournament debut, finishing fifth overall after a competitive campaign.
Alongside the Kenya Rugby Union, SportPesa’s sponsorship reflects a broader commitment to investing in teams, competitions, and talent pathways across Africa. From grassroots development to elite international competition, these investments demonstrate the “SportPesa Effect” in action, creating opportunities and building a stronger future for African rugby.
SportPesa said: “Our commitment extends beyond a single event. We invest in competitions, teams and pathways that give African talent more opportunities to develop and compete, from grassroots to elite level. A big thank you to the players, officials, fans and everyone who helped make the tournament a success.”
