Rugby Africa Gold Cup: Kenya leave it late to stop Zimbabwe

Kenya left it late to pull off their second successive Gold Cup win with a 45-36 result over Zimbabwe at the RFUEA Ground on Saturday 30 June 2018. The hosts had the best start they could have wished for, captain Davis Chenge scoring the first of his three tries off a furious maul, Darwin Mukidza converting for a 7-0 score five minutes in. The Sables would respond with a Fortune Chipendo try off their first foray into Simbas territory, Lenience Tambwera scuffing the conversion for a 7-5 score before George Nyambua and Elkeans Musonye combined to set up Chenge for his brace, Mukidza making no mistake with the conversion as the hosts went 14-5 up. Chenge would then score off a quick line out eleven minutes later, Mukidza converting for a 21-5 score,the Simbas dominant as their visitors went a man down following Chipendo’s dismissal to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on. When Tony Onyango went over for the Simbas fourth try with less than half of an hour played, it seemed like the Sables were in for a long afternoon. This thought was shortlived as they finally found a rhythm,captain Denford Mutamangira, making his 50th appearance on the day, scoring a converted try to bring the score to 26-12. They soon went further behind, punished with a penalty try before David Makanda scored at the stroke of half time to bring the score to 33-17. Peter de Villiers half time pep talk seemed to spark magic in the Sables stable, and they indeed kept their hosts on the ropes. Their pressure paid off when Farai Mudariki barged over, his unconverted try making it 33-22. A subsequent penalty try brought the scores to 33-29, a score symbolic of Zimbabwean pressure at this point of the game. Simbas were soon down to 14 men after Peter Kilonzo was sent to the sin bin, the Sables taking advantage of the extra man to spread the ball wide to McNab who scored their go-ahead try, the ensuing conversion seeing them go 36-33 up, their first lead of this encounter. The Kenyans would throw on Moses Amusala, Peter Karia, Curtis Lilako, Oliver Mang’eni, Max Kang’eri and Dallo Chituyi on for his test debut. Their impact was soon felt as they put the Sables on the  defensive. They would retake the lead with a try off the maul, leading 38-36 with precious little on the clock before Chituyi capped his maiden appearance with the game winning try, Mukidza adding the extras to convert the result.

Rugby World Cup African Qualifiers: Kenya outclass Zimbabwe

Rugby World Cup African Qualifiers: Kenya defeats Zimbabwe in Nairobi during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup

Kenya Simbas ended the game on top with 45-36, beating Zimbabwe Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya

On Saturday, June 30, the Kenya Simbas played against the Zimbabwe Sables during the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup, a qualifier for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. In a hotly-contested game, Kenya beat its opponent Zimbabwe 45-36.

Download the b-roll, and the photos: https://we.tl/mSr55U5pmj (911,5 Mo)

Zimbabwe scored five tries and one penalty try as well as two conversions against Kenya's five tries, a penalty try and four conversions.

Captain Davies Chenge gave Kenya a perfect start with a try that was converted by Darwin Mukidza before Zimbabwe replied through lock Fortunate Chipendo after good hands but their conversion was wide.

Chenge was at it again after a break from back-rowers George Nyambua and Elkeans Musonye who set up Tony Onyango to clear Chenge for his second before completing his hattrick five minutes later.

Zimbabwe however remained focused as captain Denford Mutamangira, who was playing his 50th match, scored second for his side to bring the scores to 26-12.

Kenya would be awarded a penalty try to extend the lead to 33-12 but the Sables ensured they go to the break without a big deficit as hooker David Makanda went over to trail 17-33 after the conversion went ahead.

Zimbabwe returned in the second half to complete the job scoring two tries through Farai Mudariki and winger Mathew Mcivab as well as a penalty try to take a 33-36 lead.

Kenya went ahead to make a triple change with hooker Peter Karia, prop Moses Amusala and lock Oliver Mangeni coming on for Coleman Were, Patrick Ouko and Malcolm Onsano respectively which paid off as they managed to make a comeback and score the winning two tries through substitute flanker Dalmus Chituyi with Mukidza converting one.

Kenya Simbas head coach Ian Snook was a relived man at full-time after seeing his side come from behind to win the game.

"The boys who came off the bench did a good job to help make the comeback. This win really motivates us and the World Cup dream is very much on."

"We go again next week against Uganda to try bag a win and stay in the competition."

Zimbabwe head coach Peter De Villers ruled missed chances in the second half saying:

"It's a game of rugby and Kenya took advantage of us in the closing stages to score the winning tries. In the first half I feel like we were asleep and woke up in the second half."

"We had a good start in the second half scoring couple of tries but we just couldn't hold into that. The dream to qualify is not dead."

"We head to Tunisia next and they play very well obviously with home fans backing them."

Abdelaziz Bougja, chairman of World Rugby’s African association, Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), said: "What a thrilling encounter it was! I am happy to see such close games, both teams must be commended for their performance today. We saw skills, speed and combativeness on the fiels and two teams with amazing athletes."

Zimbabwe's next game will be against Tunisia in Tunis on Saturday July 7, 2018 before hosting Namibia on August 4 in Harare.

Kenya also returns to action on July 7 in Nairobi when they will host Uganda Cranes in a clash that will also double up as Elgon Cup second leg.

Nigeria climbs 5 spot to become 73rd in World Rugby rankings, 11th in Africa

Nigeria has risen to 73rd place in the world and 11th in Africa according to the latest World Rugby rankings.
Nigeria ranked 81st in the world and 13th in Africa prior to the 2014 Africa Nations Cup 1C in which the Black Stallions placed third behind Botswana and Mauritius and quickly climbed three places to 78th after the tournament.

NRFF Vice president and Technical director; Tunji Fasimoye announced the good news to the press in Lagos "It's a great tribute to the team and players and all the credit should go to them," he said the home based players did well last year at the Africa cup 1C in Botswana where our players; Christian Ogar, Azeez Ladipo and Isaac Sani won ‘man of the match’ awards in all three matches played against Zambia, Swaziland and South African Cell C champions; Impala respectively.

The Black Stallions 7s were also commended by Rugby Africa officials for putting up a good show when they faced Zimbabwe 7s team at the Africa Cup 7s in Harare last year. He said the teams’ performance by predominantly home based players informed Rugby Africa that we have improved the standard of our grassroots rugby back home.

Fasimoye made it know that this year will be different as the NRFF will bring in a handful of foreign players to complement our home based players. He said the technical team will be tasked with ensuring that there is a perfect blend of home and foreign based players for optimal results. He further stressed the need for corporate sponsorship to enable the NRFF execute its developmental plans in 2015 and beyond. “Nigeria; with our population of over 160 million has the potential to become the next power house of the sport in Africa. We have to thank CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co Ltd for their unflinching support towards rugby however; we need more financial backing from corporate Nigeria to achieve this goal”.

 Meanwhile, World Rugby's ranking  shows New Zealand retains their number one spot, South Africa remains second while Ireland, England and Wales occupy the third, fourth and fifth positions. In Africa, South Africa remains the power house of rugby in number one position followed by Namibia (2nd), Zimbabwe (3rd), Kenya (4th) and Tunisia (5th).