Kenya’s Shujaa, with only six players in extra time, beat Uruguay Sevens 19-14 in a 9th-12th play-off at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The match took place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, on Thursday evening.

Patrick Odongo scored the winning try after Shujaa held onto the ball under pressure from the South Americans.

This win sets up a match against Samoa for 9th place. Kenya hopes to perform better against Samoa, having lost 26-0 to them in their final Group B game.

The final match will be played at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Kenya had a slow start, with Uruguay’s Juan Manuel Tafernaberry scoring an early try and conversion. Shujaa struggled with possession and trailed 7-0 at halftime.

John Okoth sparked Kenya’s comeback in the second half, scoring a try and tying the game at 7-7 with a conversion from captain Anthony Mboya. Mboya converted again after Samuel Asati’s try, giving Kenya a 14-7 lead.

However, Okoth received a yellow card in the final seconds, leaving Kenya with six players. Uruguay’s Baltazar Amaya scored a try, and Guillermo Lijtenstein converted, tying the game at 14-14 and forcing extra time.

In extra time, Shujaa defended well until Odongo’s unchallenged run to the try line sealed their victory.

Coach Kevin Wambua’s team now aims to finish their Olympic campaign with a win against Samoa.