Kenya Snatch Africa Men’s Sevens Title From Madagascar With Last-Gasp Drop-Goal in Mauritius
Kenya’s Glacious Nganya kept his cool under pressure to kick Kenya to a dramatic 15-12 victory over Madagascar and the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series title in Cascavelle. (Match Schedule, tickets, copyright free images, fixtures and streaming information below)
CASCAVELLE, Mauritius – Glacious Nganya held his nerve to convert a last-minute penalty as Kenya beat Madagascar 15-12 in an enthralling 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series final here on Sunday.
With the score tied at 12-12 on the last play of the game, Madagascar’s discipline cost them dearly. The hooter sounded and the contest headed for extra time.
Up stepped Nganya, one of Kenya’s least experienced players, playing in only his first international tournament for the East African side.
Nganya kept his calm and split the uprights with a drop-goal against the wind to secure the title for the Kenyans following an exhilarating and intense two-day tournament in the beautiful resort of Cascavelle on Mauritius’ Western Coast.
Madagascar, hitherto the only undefeated team in the competition, drew first blood when Jean Marc Raoelinirina finished off in the corner following a delightful backline move.
Ray Ambale then had the easiest of tasks to score after coming onto the end of a lovely pass, as Kenya struck back.
Gabriel Ayimba dived over from an offload to give Kenya the lead, but the lively Rado Randrianalisona levelled matters to set up a nail-biting finish to a match that kept spectators on the edges of their seats.
In the third-place play-off, South Africa defeated Burkina Faso 24-14 in a match that was evenly balanced for most of the 14 minutes.
Burkina Faso used their physicality and speed to poke holes in the Blitzboks’ defence and were rewarded through breakaway tries by the steely Adama Deme and the speedy Ousmane Tioro.
World champions South Africa, however, took their chances with precision and skill. Aaron Swartz, one of the tournament’s most exciting players, led with a hat-trick of tries, while Grant de Jager and Gino Cupido also crossed over to seal the bronze for South Africa.
Earlier in the day, in the semi-finals, Kenya stunned South Africa 15-0 in an all-round performance by the East Africans, who looked dangerous with ball in hand from the word go.
Gabriel Ayimba’s brace of tries and another by Victor Odhiambo propelled Kevin Wambua’s men into the final showdown against a Madagascar side that left a huge impression on the Mauritius Sevens.
In the other semi-final of the main competition, a workmanlike performance by Madagascar saw the islanders beat Burkina Faso 26-14 to set up a date with Kenya in the final.
Jean Yves Randriamalala, Nomenjanahary Randriamialisoa, Sandaniaina Rakotomalala and Cedric Rakotondrabe got over the whitewash.
Kassoum Deme scored all 14 points for Burkina Faso, scoring two tries and converting himself.
In earlier play-off matches, the results were: Namibia 36-7 Egypt, Mauritius 5-36 Reunion, Mauritius 24-0 Egypt, Reunion 26-22 Namibia, Reunion 14-29 Mauritius.
Women’s Teams
- South Africa (TUKS)
- Mauritius
- Reunion
- Morocco
Pool A
- South Africa
- Burkina Faso
- Mauritius
- Egypt
Pool B
- Madagascar
- Kenya
- Namibia
- Reunion
Where to watch?
Rugby Pass TV: https://rugbypass.tv/home
Rugby Africa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RugbyAfricaOfficial
Rugby Africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique
Saturday, 3 October 2026 (EAT+1)
Sunday, 4 October 2026 (EAT+1)
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About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
