Kenya staged a remarkable comeback in the Paris 2024 rugby playoffs advancing to face Samoa on Saturday.
Kenya men's rugby 7s national team Shujaa delivered a riveting performance to overcome Uruguay 19-14 in the ninth-place semifinal playoff on Thursday night.
The victory marks a significant turnaround after a series of disappointing performances in the group stages of the Paris Olympic Games.
![Paris 2024 Olympics: Erratic Kenya 7s brushed aside by Samoa in final Pool B encounter](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/25072024/6f111fe4-147a-458c-835a-d92a497bf366.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
17:09 - 25.07.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Erratic Kenya 7s brushed aside by Samoa in final Pool B encounter
Kenya 7s display toothless performance as Samoa seal potential berth to quater finals with a dominant 26-0 win.
Shujaa faced a daunting task after a series of losses including a 31-12 setback against Argentina and a 21-7 defeat to Australia.
The Kenyan's hope dimmed further following a 26-0 thrashing by Samoa that landed them at the bottom of their group with only three points.
The match against Uruguay began with Juan Manuel Tafnaberry putting the South Americans ahead with a converted try, securing a 7-0 lead at halftime.
![Paris 2024 Olympics: Kenya7s toil hard but fall short to Australia in second Pool B clash](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/24072024/754732dd-23f4-4035-98c2-06cb395a8b4c.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
20:20 - 24.07.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Kenya7s toil hard but fall short to Australia in second Pool B clash
Shujaa must now beat Samoa in their final match of Pool B to stand a chance of making the quater finals on Thursday to keep their Olympic dream alive
Uruguay seemed poised to maintain their lead but the tide began to turn when John Okoth broke through the opponent's defenses to score a try in the left corner.
Tony Omondi’s successful conversion from a tight angle brought the score level at 7-7 rekindling hope among the Kenyan supporters.
The momentum shifted further when Samuel Asati capitalized on a quick tap-and-go opportunity to dive over the whitewash pushing Kenya ahead 14-7 after another conversion by Omondi.
![Paris 2024: Kenya 7s put in spirited fight but fall short to Argentina in Olympics opener](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/24072024/67870d51-414a-4e56-be85-188d639dacab.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
17:30 - 24.07.2024
Paris 2024: Kenya 7s put in spirited fight but fall short to Argentina in Olympics opener
Shujaa's mistakes in the second half cost them dear as they fell short 31-12 in their opening Pool B match of the Paris 2024 Olympic games on Wednesday.
Moments later Shujaa suffered a blow when Okoth received a yellow card that left them one man down and Uruguay seized the opportunity, with Baltazar Amaya scoring a crucial try that was converted by Guillermo Lijtenstein sending the game into extra time.
Patrick Odong erupted when needed as he sprinted to score a decisive try that sealed the victory and a spot in the ninth-place final against Samoa.
The victory sets the stage for an intense matchup on Saturday against Samoa who had previously dominated Japan 42-7 in their semifinal game.
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