In a pulse-pounding thriller at Nyayo Stadium, Shujaa claws back from a double-digit deficit to keep their perfect home record alive in the HSBC Challenger Series.

The silence that descended upon Nyayo National Stadium in the first seven minutes was deafening. It was not the silence of an empty arena, but the stunned hush of thousands of fans watching a nightmare unfold. Germany, organized, clinical, and ruthless, had torn through the Kenyan defense twice in quick succession, establishing a commanding 10-0 lead. For a moment, the fortress that is Nairobi seemed ready to crumble.

But rugby Sevens is a game of moments, and the Kenya Sevens team, affectionately known as Shujaa, is a team of destiny. In a comeback that will be recounted in taverns and terraces for years to come, Kenya rose from the canvas to secure a 15-10 victory in extra time, capping a perfect opening day at the HSBC World Rugby Challenger Series.

The German Blitzkrieg

The match began with a tactical masterclass from the Europeans. Germany dominated possession early, starving Kenya of the ball and silencing the usually raucous home crowd. Ben Ellermann drew first blood in the 3rd minute, exploiting a gap on the blindside to score an unconverted tryBefore Kenya could regroup, Felix Hulnagel sliced through a disorganized defensive line in the 6th minute, extending the lead to 10-0.

At halftime, the mood on the Kenyan bench was tense. Head Coach Kevin "Bling" Wambua could be seen animatedly addressing his troops. The message was clear: wake up, or go home.

The Resurrection

The second half saw a different Shujaa emerge from the tunnel. The lethargy was replaced by a feral intensity. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-9)The catalyst was Nigel Amaitsa. Following a sustained period of pressure inside the German 22, Amaitsa finished off a slick handling move to put Kenya on the board. The conversion was missed, but the belief had returned.

Moments later, the stadium erupted. Patrick Odongo, whose speed has become a weapon of mass destruction this season, fend off two German defenders to crash over the whitewash. The scores were level at 10-10. The conversion to take the lead drifted agonizingly wide, setting the stage for a sudden-death showdown.

Sudden Death, Instant Glory

Extra time in Sevens is a test of lungs as much as skill. With bodies aching and lungs burning, the game entered the "Golden Point" phase. Germany thought they had won it when they crossed the line, but the try was controversially—but correctly—ruled out for a forward pass. Kenya had been given a second life.

Enter Festus Shiasi. The KCB forward, who had come off the bench to add muscle to the pack, found himself with the ball in space. With the German defense drifting too wide, Shiasi pinned his ears back. He broke one tackle, then another, accelerating into the open field.

As he dove over the line for the match-winning try, the roar from the stands was primal. Shiasi was mobbed by his teammates, the hero of the hour.The final score: 15-10.

"We made it hard for ourselves," Coach Wambua admitted in the post-match interview, wiping sweat from his brow. "But the character these boys showed? You cannot coach that. That is heart. That is Kenyan spirit."

The victory ensures Shujaa finishes Day One unbeaten, having earlier dismantled Canada (29-12) and Belgium (33-0). They now march into the quarterfinals as the team to beat, carrying the hopes of a nation that demands nothing less than a return to the elite World Series circuit.