Ombachi scores at the death to take Kenya Sevens to Rio Olympic Games

Kenya Sevens became the third team sport ever to qualify for the Olympic Games after men’s hockey and women’s volleyball teams.

Mwamba’s Dennis “Ghost worker” Ombachi on Sunday scored at the death as Kenya Sevens outshined Zimbabwe 21-19 to qualify for 2016 Rio Olympic Games at Barnard Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Even with one man advantage, all was almost lost when Collins Injera fumbled with a pass as Zimbabwe snatched the ball to score at the hooter and lead 17-14.

THE COMEBACK

Kenya reclaimed the restart delivery before Ombachi was put through deep in their own half.

Ombachi, who is making a comeback since his injury at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, sliced through with super speed to score and take Kenya to the Rio Olympics.

Eden Agero offloaded to William Ambaka from a tackle before putting through Skipper Andrew Amonde to score and put Kenya ahead 7-0 after Agero’s conversion.

Zimbabwe outmuscled Kenya from their scrum to score as Agero fumbled with the restart ball to gift Zimbabwe with another try. Zimbabwe led 12-7 at the break.

Injera converted his own try to give Kenya a 14-12 lead as Zimbabwe were reduced to six players.

But Injera fumbled with a pass in their half as Zimbabwe scored after the hooter to lead 17-14.

A composed Kenya would claim the restart delivery as Ombachi scored to emerge the hero. 

THE ROAD TO RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

Kenya had thrashed Tunisia 42-12 while Zimbabwe stopped Morocco 24-0 to set up the thrilling final.

Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Morocco will now proceed for the Final Qualifying tournament due next year.

Frank Wanyama, having a blinder of a tournament, stole the ball off a line-out, racing clear to touch down with Biko Adema converting for a 7-0 lead.

Converted tries from Agero and Amonde gave Shujaa a comfortable cushion thereafter.

Tunisia would score just before half time to cut the deficit to 21-5.

Injera and Oscar Ayodi touched down either side of Wanyama's second try and a Tunisia try to confirm the result and book a final date against Zimbabwe.

Kenya had crushed Madagascar 46-0 in the quarterfinal.

Ombachi's first half hat trick and Biko Adema's solitary conversion saw Shujaa take a 17-0 lead into the interval.

Second half tries from Leonard Mugaisi, Collins Injera, Eden Agero and Andrew Amonde coupled with Agero's two conversions gave Kenya the result and a semi-final date against Tunisia.