14 July 2008

Kenya scored one of their biggest win in recent times beating Cameroon 76-8 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier match at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground.

According to records, Kenya’s biggest win was a 96-3 drubbing of Nigeria in Nairobi when rugby was played as an experimental sport during the fourth Solve Africa Games in 1987. Another big win was in 2003 when Kenya beat Botswana 80-9 in Gaborone.

The big win saw Kenya shoot to the top of Pool C ahead of Tunisia who had beaten Cameroon 16-10 in Yaounde on June 14 when the qualifiers proper kicked off.

In the other matches at the weekend, 1996 Rugby World Cup finalists Cote d’Ivoire started their compaign with a 32-9 win over Zambia in Abidjan while Madagascar were 45-15 winners over Botswana in Antananarivo. The match between Senegal and Zimbabwe which was supposed to have been played in Harare was postponed after Senegal raised security concerns.

Following the weekend results, Botswana and Zambia are out of the race for the next round next year after losing two matches. The next matches are on August 2 with the top teams in the four groups proceeding to the semi finals and final.

In Nairobi, Kenya recorded the highest score against Cameroon who barely had time to acclimatize before running onto the pitch. The Cameroonians arrived in two batches with seven players arriving on the morning of the match.

Although, Cameroon showed flashes of brilliance and solid forward play – where they outplayed the Kenyans - it was Kenya’s speedy backs who did the damage. The backrow of Wilson Kopondo, George Mbaye and the entire backline of Lavin Asego, Collins Injera, Biko Adema, Humphrey Kayange, Horace Otieno and Innocent Simiyu.

Kenya coach Michael Otieno was concerned with his defence, rucks and phase play. “We have to go back to the drawing boards and prepare for Tunisia,” he said.

His opposite number, Calvin Mbock Ndebi said Cameroon brought out a young squad and the haphazard traveling arrangements was their biggest undoing. “We were here to learn from Kenya which is a well-organised and bigger union than ours. Late arrival by some of our players made the game difficult,” he admitted.

Collins Injera scored three tries for Kenya while Innocent Simiyu, the team captain added two. Other try scorers were Lavin Asego, George Mbaye, Vincent Mose, Biko Adema and Horace Otieno. Peter Mutai kicked over seven conversions and Lavin Asego two.

Cameroon replied with a push-over try and a penalty by fly-half Bruno Ntso. 

Injera started the try rush in the third minute and Asego added a drop goal in the 14th minute for  8-0 lead. Cameroon came back forcefully and surprisingly held their opponents in the forwards. Bruno Ntso kicked over a penalty for the visitors in the 18th minute to narrow the gap 8-3 in Kenya’s favour.

The flood gates opened in the 22nd minute when George Mbaye and Innocent Simiyu scored two quick tries in a space of four minutes. Kayange was next over as Kenya opted for an open play. A good run by Kayange and Injera in the 32nd minute saw Biko Adema touch down under the posts and just before the break, Injera added his second try. Peter Mutai kicked over four conversions as Kenya led 41-3 at half time. In the second half, it was Cameroon who were quick off the starting blocks pinning Kenya in their own half with some good forward play. Horace Otieno scored a breakaway try in the 42nd minute and Asego chased and grounded a try one minute later. Mutai was sure with both conversions. When Collins Injera scored his third try in the 46th minute, Cameroon looked dead and buried. But they capitalized on laxity by the Kenya forwards to score a consolation push-over try in the 53rd minute. Additional tries by Simiyu and substitute Vincent Mose completed the rout. Asego added two conversions.

 

Rugby World Cup Qualifier
Kenya 76 Cameroon 8
HT: Kenya 41 Cameroon 8
Venue: Rugby Football Union of East Africa Ground, Nairobi.
Weather: Overcast, chilly but fine
Attendance: 900

Results
Kenya
Tries: Collins Injera (3), Innocent Simiyu (2), Lavin Asego, Horace Otieno, George Mbaye, Biko Adema, Vincent Mose, Humphrey Kayange.
Drop goal: Lavin Asego.
Conversions: Peter Mutai (7), Lavin Asego (2).
Cameroon
Tries: Pushover
Penalties: Bruno Ntso

Yellowcard
Cameroon: Laudry Bissou Boat (71st minute)

Match officials
Victor Lie Andrianvelomanana (Madagascar), TJ1 Rija Jocelyn Ravelonahiana (Madagascar), TJ2 Antsoniandro Randrianorosoa (Madagascar).
Match Commissioner: Peter Manda (Zambia)

Line ups:
Kenya: 1 Daniel Kiptoo (Kenya Harlequin FC), 2. Vincent Ong’era (Kenya Harlequin FC) - 16, 3 Derrick Wamalwa (Rugby Club Agglomeration, Cergy Pontoise, Paris) - 17, 4 Paul Oketch (Mwamba), 5 George Odipo (Kenya Harlequin FC) - 18, 6 Wilson K’Opondo (Mean Machine), 7 Allan Onyango (Kenya Harlequin FC), 8 George Mbaye (Mwamba) - 19, 9 Peter Mutai (Kenya Commercial Bank) - 20, 10 Lavin Asego (Mwamba), 11 Collins Injera (Mwamba), 12 Biko Adema (Nondescripts RUFC) - 21, 13 Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba), 14 Horace Otieno (Mwamba) - 22, 15 Innocent Simiyu (Kenya Harlequin FC, captain). Replacements: 16 Frank Ndong (Impala), 17 Joel Ng’ang’a (Kenya Harlequin FC), 18 Paul Murunga (Kenya Commercial Bank), 19 Paul Oimbo (Impala), 20 David Gitau (Kenya Harlequin FC), 21 Cyprian Shimenga (Nakuru RFC), 22 Vincent Mose (Nakuru RFC). Officials: Michael Otieno (head coach), Edward Kinyany (assistant coach), Charles Ngovi (assistant coach), Wangila Simiyu (team manager), Chrisopher Makachia (physiotherapist.

Cameroon: 1 Duclair Takan, 2 Thomas Kanga, 3 Justin Chimi, 4 Bernard Tsabang, 5 Alain Tohounou (17), 6 Erie Yondep, 7 Clorice Wanbo (18), 8 Yoossouf Njifoanja, 9 Raphael Touko Ngaleu, 10 Bruno Ntso, 11 Genge Ngona Ndoti (19), 12 Bertrand Ongba Onoba, 13 Julien Nonga, 14 Leon Djeukov, 15 Robert Songue Dikoun. Replacements: 16 Laudry Bissou Boat, 17 Ernest Ndong, 18 Andy Ndongho, 19 Alphonse Nkoa. Officials: Calvin Mbock Ndebi (coach), Theophile Mambo Tiek (team manager).