Kenya draw Nigeria, Senegal in Africa Rugby Cup Sevens
Kenya Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba (left) confers with captain Andrew Amonde before addressing the Press in the past. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- In Pool A, minnows Nigeria and Senegal stand between Kenya and the semi-finals of the championship that has four pools. Last year’s runners up Zimbabwe are in Pool B that has Uganda and Mauritius.
- Morocco, the 2012 losing finalists, headline Pool C where they face Zambia and Madagascar while Tunisia are in Pool D alongside 2004 losing finalists Namibia and Botswana.
- The Pool winners will be ranked for the knockout semi-final stage on Saturday with the rest playing in the classification ranking.
Top seeds Kenya have been handed a favourable draw in the Africa Rugby Cup Sevens starting Friday at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.
In Pool A, minnows Nigeria and Senegal stand between Kenya and the semi-finals of the championship that has four pools. Last year’s runners up Zimbabwe are in Pool B that has Uganda and Mauritius.
Morocco, the 2012 losing finalists, headline Pool C where they face Zambia and Madagascar while Tunisia are in Pool D alongside 2004 losing finalists Namibia and Botswana.
The Pool winners will be ranked for the knockout semi-final stage on Saturday with the rest playing in the classification ranking.
Four-time defending champions Kenya have been into six of the last seven Africa Cup finals, winning in 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2015. Zimbabwe won in 2000 and 2012 beating Kenya and Morocco respectively while South Africa’s Development side claimed victory in 2014, edging out Kenya.
The only time Kenya failed to reach the final was in 2012 where Zimbabwe beat Morocco in the final 33-10.
Last year, Kenya scored at the death to edge out Zimbabwe 21-19 to reclaim the title they had lost to South Africa’s Development side.
The result also saw the Kenyans qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where they were joined by South Africa, who went on to win bronze after beating Japan 45-14 in the play-off.
Just like Kenya, Zimbabwe and Morocco will also provide sides for Safari Sevens starting Saturday to Sunday.
The tournament director Godwin Karuga said that Zimbabwe and Morocco will bring along eight extra players to their sides of 12 for the two championships.
“We are ready to welcome teams and we should expect two highly competitive events,” said Karuga.
SAFARI SEVENS
At Safari Sevens, Morocco, Zimbabwe and Kenya Shujaa, who are the 2000 and 2013 champions, will be drawn against defending champions Samurai International, Portugal and the National Sevens champions Homeboyz.
Also making a return are England Saxons while South Africa will provide four sides, regulars Western Province and newcomers Red Wailers, Belha and Sharks.
Zimbabwe are yet to the Safari Sevens title despite having finished second in the inaugural event in 1996, 2006 and 2007.
Four foreign whistlers are lined up to officiate at this weekend’s Safari Sevens. The four are Salem Atalah from France, Jack le Feuvre (England), Paulo Duarte (Portugal) and Vusumuzi Msibi (South Africa).
Atallah has officiated in France’s Top 14 championship while Duarte has overseen matches on the European Grand Prix Sevens.
At the same time, tickets for the two competitions are on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets through Lipa Na Mpesa Paybill no. 951802.
Entry charges on Friday will be Sh300 while fans will part with Sh500 on Saturday and Sunday. Season tickets that will grant fans access to three days of action are going at Sh800. There are no VIP tickets this year.
AFRICA CUP FIXTURES
Friday
Tunisia v Nigeria 11.00am, Morocco v Madagascar 11.22am, Zimbabwe v Uganda 11.44am, Kenya v Nigeria 12.06pm, Botswana v Namibia 2.30pm, Zambia v Madagascar 2.52pm, Mauritius v Uganda 3.14pm, Senegal v Nigeria 3.36pm, Tunisia v Botswana 6.10pm, Morocco v Zambia 6.32pm, Zimbabwe v Mauritius 6.54pm, Kenya v Senegal 7.14pm,
