photo courtesy of krfu
Kenya is only a game away to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and Wales, after defeating Madagascar 34-0 on Wednesday in Antananarivo in the Africa Rugby Confederation Division 1A tournament.
The win, a first after three meetings with the Makkis has Kenya on top of the table with 10 points and must beat Zimbabwe by any margin to avoid any complex arithmetic.
Kenya’s two wins came with a bonus and therefore the maximum 10 points. Zimbabwe have six points and Namibia five. A win or a draw will see Kenya qualify.
A narrow loss by a bonus point will also suffice. If Zimbabwe win with a bonus point (by scoring four or more tries), Kenya will be knocked out.
Namibia on the other hand cannot be ruled out as they are not out of contention yet because if they beat Madagascar, they earn a bonus point.
A defiant Jerome Paarwater who made 11 changes to the starting lineup however still thinks his boys are not yet there. “Not yet. We need to focus up until the last game. Anything can happen. Keep the boys fresh and focused to the last game. We need points out of that game to qualify but we are on track.”
The Kenya team coach explained, “We changed 11 guys today and it worked in our favor because it’s going to come down to the last game on Saturday to keep our guys fresh and we know Zimbabwe is going to come out hard but our boys will be fresh.”
Team captain Andrew Amonde and his charges alleged the hosts ‘played dirty’ by biting and stamping on Kenyan players during the tough challenge.
Kenya still has a slippery hill to climb in their quest to get to England and Wales, though Zimbabwe is considered by many pundits an easy to chew piece of cheese cake that is capable also of causing a last minute surprise.
Kenya squad
15. Michael Agevi, 14. Collins Injera, 13. Humphrey Kayange, 12. Nick Barasa, 11. Dennis Muhanji, 10. Ken Andola, 9. Lyle Asiligwa, 8. Joshua Chisanga, 7. Davis Chenge (Martin Owila), 6. Andrew Amonde (captain), 5. Oliver Mang’eni, 4. Ronnie Mwenesi, 3. Moses Amusala, 2. Maxwell Adaka (Sammy Warui), 1. Curtis Lilako.
Replacements:
16. Samuel Warui, 17. Joseph Kang’ethe, 18. James Kang’ethe, 19. Wilson K’Opondo, 20. Martin Owila, 21. Edwin Achayo, 22. Lavin Asego, 23. Patrice Agunda.
Author:Shadrack Andenga Odinga