Zimbabwe overcame a committed Kenyan side 28-20 in a thrilling encounter at Prince Edward School’s Jubilee Field yesterday.
The Sables scored three tries through Sanele Sibanda, Rian O’Neill and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo while flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya was impressive from the kicking tee as he chipped in with 15 points from two conversions and three penalties.
Kenya’s Simbas, who bounced back strongly after conceding two early tries, scored through Jacob Ojee, Darwin Mukidza and impressive eighthman Joshua Chisanga.
Cheered on by a vocal sell-out crowd, the Sables got off to a rampant start, dominating both territory and possession which eventually yielded the first try of the match in the 11th minute.
Scotland-based flank Andrew Rose who was a marvel to watch with ball in hand made a brilliant run which created the space for Sibanda’s break and touch down for the opening try.
Things went from bad to worse for the
visitors four minutes later when impressive
centre O’Neill finished off a quickly taken
lineout from Gardner Nechironga after
Makwanya’s well-timed tactical kick had come
off Mukidza inside the Kenyan half.
Kenya however stepped up a gear and were
soon on the board through a try from winger
Ojee, who capitalised on a mistake by gangly
lock Fortune Chipendo.
Zimbabwe had a chance to further stretch
their lead when the speedy Chitokwindo
glided past the Kenyan defence, only to lose
the ball forward in contact after a last
ditch tackle on the tryline.
However, Makwanya would make amends with a
penalty from under the posts after Kenya had
been penalised for a late tackle on
scrumhalf Charles Jiji.
After looking seemingly in control, the
Sables lost their way late in the first half
with too many missed tackles and handling
errors.
They were duly punished as Kenya completed
their remarkable comeback with two quick
tries in the last five minutes as the two
teams went to the break deadlocked at 17-17.
Despite taking the lead with an early
second half penalty, the Sables’ cause
seemed to be further undermined when
Chipendo was yellow-carded in the 51st
minute, which resulted in a penalty which
was duly converted by Mukidza.
Despite struggling to regain their early
dominance, the Sables showed tremendous
defensive commitment and character in the
later stages of the match before
Chitokwindo’s try with 10 minutes to go
after a pass from replacement flyhalf
Lenience Tambwera.
Line Ups
Zimbabwe — 1. Denford Mutamangira (c), 2. Royal Mwale, 3. Farai Mudariki, 4. Sanele Sibanda, 5. Fortune Chipendo, 6. Shingi Mpofu, 7.Andrew Rose, 8. Kingsley Lang, 9. Charles Jiji, 10. Tich Makwanya, 11. Gardner Nechironga, 12. Cleopas Makotose, 13. Riaan O’Neill, 14. Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, 15. Tangai Nemadire
Replacements – 16.
Kudzai Muzorewa, 17. Lawrence Cleminson, 18.
Tatenda Murwira, 19. Bisele Tshamala, 20.
Boyd Rouse, 21. Stephan Hunduza, 22.
Lenience Tambwera,23.Peter Joubert.
Kenya – 1. Moses Amusala,
2.Sam Warui, 3. Isaiah Nyariki, 4. Ronnie
Mwenesi, 5.Oliver Mangeni, 6.Brian Nyikuli,
7. Lawrence Buyachi, 8. Joshua Chisanga, 9.
Lylle Asiligwa, 10. Adimo Wamamba, 11. Jacob
Ojee, 12.Kelvin Omiyo, 13.Fabian Olando,
14.Darwin Mukidza, 15.Sam Oliech
Replacements – 16.Peter
Kaaria, 17.Curtis Lilako, 18. Emmanuel
Mavala, 19. Davis Chenge, 20. Robert Aringo,
21. Dennis Muhanji, 22.Vincent Mose