Leading the log heading into the final day of the 2014 C.A.R Division 1A Champions in Antananaravivo, Madagascar, Kenya’s Simbas fell to a 28-10 defeat to Zimbabwe, a result that saw them finish third overall in the competition, this after Namibia’s 89-10 demolition job of Madagascar saw them book a fifth successive appearance at the Rugby World Cup

At the beginning of a gripping day, the Namibians were outside hopefuls at best, but Zimbabwe’s 28-10 win against Kenya, denying the Kenyan’s a losing bonus point, while failing to secure a bonus point of their own, left the door ajar for the seasoned Rugby World Cup campaigners.

 As the dust settled in Antananarivo, Zimbabwe emerged as the team who will progress to the Repechage where they will play Russia for a place in the Repechage Final.

The results also broke Kenyan hearts. Kenya looked certain to progress at least to the Repechage at the beginning of the day, having defeated Namibia earlier in the round-robin competition, but were left to rue what might have been.

At the end, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya all finished on 10 points, but Namibia claimed the title by virtue of having a superior points difference (+76 compared to Zimbabwe +49 and Kenya +23).

CAR President Aziz Bougja pointed to the strides that African nations are making on the world stage.

“We have witnessed one of the most compelling, and certainly the most dramatic African Cups of recent times, which really does underscore the continued progress that our Unions are making. I would like to congratulate all the teams for their incredible performances and also congratulate Namibia, who have the honour of representing Africa at Rugby World Cup 2015.”

courtesy of news 24