Kenya Sevens players celebrate after defeating Madagascar 15-12 to win the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens title in Cascavelle, Mauritius, on October 4, 2026. Glacious Nganya kicked the decisive penalty after the final hooter. PHOTO | RUGBY AFRICA
By Kennedy Otieno
Kenya turned a bruising defeat into continental glory in less than 24 hours, stunning Madagascar 15-12 to reclaim the Africa Men’s Sevens crown in Mauritius.
The victory at the SPARC International Rugby Stadium in Cascavelle on Sunday capped a remarkable recovery for the Kenyan side, which had been comprehensively beaten 26-0 by the same opponents in the pool stage a day earlier.
But when the two teams met again with the title at stake, Kenya produced a vastly different performance — and the contest ultimately came down to one kick.
With the scores locked at 12-12 and time up, Glacious Nganya stepped forward after Madagascar conceded a penalty.
Playing in his first international tournament for Kenya, Nganya held his nerve and sent the ball between the posts against the wind to hand Kenya a dramatic 15-12 victory and the continental title.
The moment completed a turnaround that had appeared unlikely after Saturday’s heavy loss.
Madagascar had arrived in the final unbeaten and with an impressive recent record against Kenya.
Before Sunday’s decider, the islanders had beaten the Kenyans four consecutive times in Mauritius, including 7-5 and 24-19 victories in 2024 and a 14-12 win in the 2025 semifinals.
Their 26-0 demolition of Kenya in this year’s pool stage appeared to extend that dominance.
Kenya, however, regrouped when it mattered.
Their response began in the semifinal against defending champions South Africa, where the Kenyans produced one of their strongest displays of the tournament to record a 15-0 victory.
Gabriel Ayimba crossed twice, while Victor Mola added another try as Kenya shut out the South Africans to book another meeting with Madagascar.
The final proved much tighter.
Madagascar struck first through Jean Marc Raoelinirina, but Kenya responded through Rayvon Ambale, whose converted try gave the East Africans a 7-5 advantage at the break.
Kenya stretched the lead after the restart when Ayimba crossed following an offload close to the try line.
Madagascar refused to go away, however, and a converted try brought the scores level at 12-12, setting up a tense finish.
With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Madagascar conceded the late penalty that presented Nganya with the opportunity to settle the contest.
He did not waste it.
The result restored Kenya to the top of African men’s sevens after missing out on the title in the previous two editions in Mauritius.
It also completed an impressive campaign that had started with victories over Namibia and Réunion before the pool-stage setback against Madagascar.
Kenya opened with a 34-12 victory over Namibia before shutting out Réunion 19-0.
The championship could hardly have come at a better time for the Kenyan side, which now turns its attention to the Safari Sevens in Nairobi.
The tournament returns to Nyayo National Stadium from October 9 to 11, with Kenya entering the competition carrying both the continental title and renewed confidence.
