Willy Ambaka’s 13-year rugby career ended in disappointment after Shujaa narrowly lost 26-24 to Tonga in the 9th-place semifinals at the 2023 Sydney 7s held in Australia on Sunday morning, January 29.
Shujaa had earlier beaten Spain 17-12 with Denis Abukuse getting the Kenya men over the line with a sudden death try.
The Shujaa versus Tonga match was Ambaka’s last game since he announced his retirement earlier this week.
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Speaking after the painful defeat, Ambaka stated that the Kenyan rugby 7s squad has a bright future.
“It is a bid of mixed emotions. I am sad and happy at the same time. What I am seeing from the Kenyan boys right now pleases me.
“But all in all, I just want to thank God for the 13 yrs because rugby is a risky game but I came out standing still,” he disclosed.
When Ambaka was asked what he would be thinking about when he gets together with his teammates, the Lubinu Boys High School alumni replied that he would make it count.
“Right now is just about resting up and then it is about thinking about the next move. Also, I will enjoy some time off with the family and my mates because I am not going to see them for a while.
“In addition, I just want to thank God for everything that has happened in my life and also my career,” ended Ambaka.
In his professional career, the 32-year-old took part in three rugby world cups, two Commonwealth Games, and numerous world rugby seven series legs.
The Wundanyi-born player was also part of the Shujaa squad that made history in 2018 by lifting its maiden world rugby sevens series title at the Singapore 7s.
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