Namibia a win away from Africa Rugby Cup Division 1A title

Namibia inched closer to retaining the Africa Rugby Cup Division 1A after edging out Kenya Simbas 56-21 at the Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek on Saturday.

Namibia now remain with one home assignment against Zimbabwe where they are highly tipped to win. They beat Uganda 48-10 before the Kenya tie. Kenya, who beat Zimbabwe 61-15 a week ago, play Uganda on July 30 in Nairobi in their last fixture.

Hosts Namibia were ruthless especially in the first half where they led 42-7 as they scored six tries despite the Kenyans putting up a stronger resistance in the second half.

Namibia’s forwards laid the platform for victory with a huge physical performance, while fly half Theuns Kotze gave a faultless kicking display, converting all eight tries for a game high personal tally of 16 points.

Man-of –the-match Tinus du Plessis led the way with two tries, while captain Tjiuee Uanivi, Chrysander Botha, Rohan Kitshoff, Gino Wilson, Russell van Wyk and Johan Deysel scored one try each.

James Kangethe scored two tries for Kenya, while Isaac Adimo got one. Darwin Mukidzwa, Dan Sikuta and Fabian Olanda each added a conversion.

Kenya found themselves one man less in the first minute after lock Simon Muniafu was sin binned for foul play.

Namibia were fast to cash in on their numerical advantage with Uanivi landing over after a forward maul for the opening try three minutes into the match.
Namibia’s forwards sliced through Kenya’s defence with ease.

Botha crossed the line before Kitshoff and Wilson claimed a try each for a 28-0 lead after only 18 minutes. Eighth man Tinus du Plessis bludgeoned through a brace of tries in quick succession to put the home side 42-0 ahead on 28 minutes.

HARD TACKLES

It was after 32 minutes that fly half Adimo danced through some tackles to score, before Mukidza added a conversion for a 42-7 at the break. Namibia were at it again with Russell van Wyk try as Deysel dotted down to put Namibia 56-7 ahead. Kenya finished stronger, as James Kangethe scored two tries that Olando and Sikuta converted.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) secretary general Oduor Gangla said the score line from Windhoek was disappointing after a good run in Harare, Zimbabwe.

“Harare was exciting and it showed we had done some work,” Gangla said. “We thought we had bridged the gap but it shows that Namibia have greatly improved hence we have got more work to do,” he added.

Gangla said Namibia seemed to have prepared well than the Kenyans, having taken part in Pacific Four Nations tournament against Romania, Italy and Spain.

“We shall have to sit down with the technical bench and do an informed assessment ahead of the Uganda clash and next year’s 2019 World Cup qualifiers,” said Gangla.