Odongo dazzles as Shujaa claim Dubai Challenger Series title, Lionesses fall to China

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RUGBY Odongo dazzles as Shujaa claim Dubai Challenger Series title, Lionesses fall to China

Joel Omotto 17:30 - 14.01.2024

Patrick Odongo scored two tries in the final to help Kenya Sevens win the Dubai Challenger Series Cup title

Patrick Odongo stayed true to his superstar status as he led Kenya Sevens to the 2024 Challenger Series title in Dubai after scoring two tries in the final as they won 12-5 against Chile on Sunday.

Odongo opened the scoring with a brilliant try after sprinting off on the right flank following an offload from Vincent Onyala. The try was easily converted to give Shujaa a 7-0 lead.

However, Chile gained strength when Ernest Vidino shrugged off his markers before finding Benjamin Videla who notched home their try for a 7-5 score in favour of Kenya at halftime.

Coach Kevin Wambua then urged his players to ensure the did not lose possession in the second half and the message seems to have sunk in.

After a huffing and puffing, Chile made a mess of the ball and Odongo pounced before sprinting to the try line to score his second of the game and 11th overall in Dubai

It has been an impressive tournament for Wambua’s charges who lost one of their six games in Dubai and end the opening leg top of the table with the maximum 20 points.

Shujaa needed a top four finish to stay in contention for a promotion playoff berth at the end of the season and they are well on course after claiming victory in the opening leg.

Meanwhile, their women’s counterparts Kenya Lionesses fell to China in the cup final, after losing 19-5, ending the tournament with 18 points.

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