A 27-match winning streak came to a screeching halt at Nyayo Stadium as Kenya Shujaa fell to the USA, forcing the hosts to settle for third place in a tournament won by a clinical German side.

The atmosphere at Nyayo National Stadium was electric, a cauldron of noise and expectation. The script was written for a home victory: Kenya Shujaa, unbeaten in 27 consecutive matches, looked destined to lift the Nairobi Sevens trophy. But sport, as it often does, tore up the script. In a stunning semi-final upset, the USA Eagles outmuscled and outsmarted the hosts, handing them a sobering 21-5 defeat.

The loss sent shockwaves through the stands. Fans who had been dancing minutes earlier were left in stunned silence as the Americans exploited gaps in the Kenyan defense that had been invisible all weekend. Shujaa rallied to secure third place, but the bronze medal felt like a consolation prize on a day that promised gold.

Germany's Precision Engineering

While Kenya licked its wounds, Germany executed a masterclass in Sevens rugby. Quietly efficient and brutally effective, the Europeans marched through the bracket to claim the title, proving that the Challenger Series is no longer a two-horse race. Their victory propels them to the top of the standings, putting immense pressure on Kenya for the upcoming legs.

The Lesson for Shujaa

Head Coach Kevin Wambua will have plenty to ponder. The streak is over, and perhaps the pressure is off. "We learned a hard lesson today," Wambua admitted. "At this level, one mistake is a try. Against the USA, we made three."

• The Upset: USA 21 - 5 Kenya (Semi-Final).
• The Champion: Germany (Men's Title).
• The Silver Lining: Shujaa remains 2nd in overall standings.

The road to the elite World Series just got steeper. Shujaa must now regroup, rebuild, and remember that in Sevens rugby, you are only as good as your last seven minutes.