Kenya edge Uganda to reach Rugby Africa Cup Semis
David GOMBE
Kenya sealed a nerve-wrecking 32-24 win to claim the bragging rights yet again over rivals Uganda as the Simbas booked a semi-final place against Zimbabwe in day one of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup on Tuesday, July 8.
Kenya were early off the blocks in the first-half against their East African neighours, attacking with more variation and making use of the space out wide to score two tries through winger Griffin Mwalukware and flyhalf Barry Robinson Young.
Uganda scrumhalf Aaron Ofoyrwoth crossed the white line in the first-half to reduce the arrears and send the passionate home crowd into delirium.
However, Kenya’s forwards pack continued to outmuscle Uganda right into the middle of the second-half, with captain and lock George Nyambua powering over from a big scrum before Mwalukware got his second.
Uganda’s well-known never-die-spirit saw them back from a hopeless 22-10 position, calitalising on Kenyan errors to score through star fullback Phillip Wokorach and skipper Byron Oketayot.
And with Ugandan tails up and the Mandela National Stadium faithful on its feat, Kenya manged to weather the storm. A drop goal by the impress Robinson Young was what the Simbas needed to book a date with the Zimbabweans on Sunday, July 13.
The Sables, who are the reigning champions, made a strong statement in defence of their title, overpowering Morocco 43-8 in the tournament opener with a dominant second-half show.
Star flyhalf Ian Prior proved to the catalyst for the Zimbabweans with his delightful vision and kicking, amassing 23 points through penalties and conversations.
Fullback Tapiwa Mafura, wingers Edward Sigauke and Trevor Gurwe as well replacement back-row Dylan Utete all scored tries for the Sables after the Southern Africans led 16-5 at half-time in difficult wet conditions.
Hooker Hassan Haimiche had put Morocco ahead with an early try before the Zimbabweans wasted no time in stamping their authority early in the second period, to finish with a flourish.
Algeria defeated Côte d’Ivoire 41-6 to set up a date in the semis against Namibia. Outside-centre Nadir Megdoud scored twice for the Atlas Lions.
Scrumhalf Gilene Queheille as well as Aymeric Tronc and Mohammed Abdel Hamid Makri also crossed over for the Algerians.
Namibia will meet the Algerians courtesy of their thumping 55-17 victory over Senegal. Johan Retief, Jurgen Meyer, man-of-the-match Andre van Der Berg, Arman Combrinck, Andrew kearns, and Adiran Booysen led the rout for Namibia.
The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup features eight of the continent’s top teams, Uganda, Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and 2024 champions Zimbabwe, competing in a knockout tournament for the African spot at the Men’s Rugby World Cup from July 8 to July 19. The winner will also qualify for the second division of the Nations Cup. Notably, with all qualification set to conclude by the end of 2025, a first in Men’s Rugby World Cup history, all participating teams will be confirmed ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw. The World Rugby Rankings will inform team seedings for the tournament draw.
Match Day 2: Sunday 13 July 2025 (Local Time) (EAT)
10:00 – Cote d’Ivoire vs Senegal
12:00 – Morocco vs Uganda
14:00 – Algeria vs Namibia
16:00 – Zimbabwe vs Kenya