This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
On Saturday, November 9, 2019, Kenya's national rugby men's team, Shujaa, made history by qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The team reclaimed the Africa Sevens title with a resounding 31-0 win over Uganda in the Africa Cup final held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Shujaa's victory marked their second consecutive Africa Sevens title, following their win in 2018. The team's impressive performance earned them a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, joining their female counterparts, the Lionesses, who secured their Tokyo ticket last month.
Shujaa's captain, Andrew Amonde, Daniel Taabu, and Jeffrey Oluoch each scored a try for Kenya, while Oscar Dennis added two more tries to the team's tally. The win ensured Shujaa's participation in the Olympic Games for the second time, following their appearance in the 2016 edition in Brazil.
Kenya secured their final spot by defeating Madagascar 40-14 in the semifinal. The team's qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was welcomed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who congratulated the team on their impressive performance.
“Your qualification and that of the Kenya Lionesses for the Olympics is a sign that our rugby is once again on the rise,” President Kenyatta said in a statement.
Shujaa joins a list of nine teams that have qualified for the men's tournament, including hosts Japan, South Africa, Fiji, USA, New Zealand, Great Britain, Argentina, and Canada.
