Kenya’s national rugby team, Shujaa , outdid themselves in a sterling performance at the Vancouver sevens in Canada on Monday morning, but unfortunately lost narrowly to Fiji to settle for silver.

The Shujaas lost to Fiji 32-12 in the main Cup final of Canada Sevens at the World Rugby Sevens Series. The Kenya7ns collectively earned 19 points and now stand at position eight in the World Series table after six HSBC7s legs with a total of 64 points.

“A few years back, certain teams would refuse to train or share changing rooms with #Kenya7s. They felt that they were above us. Fiji is the one team that has always treated us as family. Win or lose they are our brothers and this picture is testament of that,” read a tweet on the Kenya sevens twitter handle, accompanied by a picture of Shujaa sevens and the Fiji team in an amalgamated embrace.

Prior to the Canada sevens, Fiji and Kenya last met in the finals of Singapore Sevens in 2016 where Kenya7ns beat Fijians 30-7 to the historic win of Kenya’s first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title.

South Africa, who are the Series leaders and defending champions, beat USA Sevens champions, United States, 29-7 in the play-off to win bronze in Vancouver.

KENYA BEATS ENGLAND TO QUALIFY FOR WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES

It was an ecstatic moment for the country when Shujaa’s beat England 12-0 to qualify for the World Rugby Sevens Series semi finals! Kenya rugby fans not just in the country but across the globe were thrown into ecstasy as social media erupted with hashtags  to cheer on the team;  holding their breaths for the final whistle, fingers crossed, anxiously waiting for the that big moment when Kenya7ns would lift the trophy, not even the different time zone would deter local fans from catching the game.

Although Kenya lost to Fiji, the pride has lingered on and social media is still a buzz with congratulatory messages with the hashtags #Kenya7s,   #Shujaa , #ShujaaPride still trending on twitter.

@xtiandela: Well done @KenyaSevens you have done us proud!!!! It’s high time Rugby was taken seriously in our schools. The @moscakenya needs to do more to nature young talent in the country. THIS is the sport that is bringing fame to Kenya!! @kenya_7s

 @Ben_Kitili: Just some perspective though..rugby is Fiji’s national sport..Meanwhile, our game is not even fully professionalised and we currently dont have a sponsor..#Shujaa, always punching above their weight and we appreciate them even more for that.

The teams now turn their focus on Gold Coast Commonwealth Games due April 4-15 in Australia.