Kenya Win Derby RWC Qualifier Against Uganda

Kenya won their derby RWC qualifier today against Uganda. The Simbas 38-22 victory over Uganda maintains their unbeaten run in Africa’s Gold Cup, the continental qualifying series for RWC 2019.

Played at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi, Kenya played impressive rugby to build a massive 31-12 advantage. Yet complacency set-in and Uganda hit-back threatening to claim an unlikely victory.

Kenya started well with Darwin Mukidza converting a try scored by Jacob Ojee in the 8th minute. The Uganda rugby Cranes swiftly responded with Philip Wokorach touching down for an unconverted try, his first of two for the match.

Kenya then strung together converted tries from Davis Chenge, Sam Onsomu and, debutant, Felix Ayange to give themselves a healthy 28-5 half time lead.

The second half saw Uganda being the fastest out of the blocks. The Cranes deduced the deficit to 16 points as Ivan Magomu touched down for a try converted by Philip Wokorach.

The Simbas hit back through a Mukidza penalty though with second-rower Andrew Chogo yellow carded the Cranes put together back-to-back tries with Michael Wokorach and Philip Wokorach both scoring.

The teams exchanged late tries to complete the scoring, giving the Simbas a 38-22 victory. Combined with the 34-16 result from May in Kampala, Kenya claim a 72-38 series win on aggregate to retain the Elgon Cup.

Kenya’s next RWC 2019 qualifier will be on August 11. The Simbas travel to Tunis to face Tunisia. That same day sees Uganda at home to Morocco but prior to that Uganda take-on Tunisia in Kampala on August 04.

Kenya are currently on course to push for their first ever appearance at a RWC. The Simbas win today over Uganda follows on from a 28-24 win over Morocco in Casablanca and a 45-36 home victory against Zimbabwe.

In order for Kenya to qualify for RWC 2019 as Africa 1 the Simbas simply need to continue on their winning ways. Their two remaining matches are against Tunisia on 11 and Namibia on August 18. The game against Namibia looms as the decisive fixture of the Gold Cup with the winner looming as the champion and RWC 2019 qualifier as Africa 1.

Despite only Africa 1 earning direct qualification for RWC 2019 there is also a pathway for Africa 2. The Gold Cup runner-up will join Canada, Hong Kong and either Germany or Samoa in repechage. The Repechage Winner and Africa 1 will both play in Pool B of RWC 2019, joining Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa.

SCORERS

KENYA
Try: Ojee, Chenge, Onsomu, Ayange, Amusala
Conversion: Mukidza (5)
Penalty: Mukidza
Yellow Card: Andrew Chogo

UGANDA
Try: P Wokorach (2), Magomu, M Wokorach
Conversion: P Wokorach

KENYA
15 Vincent Mose, 14 Felix Ayange, 13 Peter Kilonzo, 12 Darwin Mukidza, 11 Jacob Ojee, 10 Isaac Adimo, 9 Samson Onsomu, 8 Davis Chenge (capt.), 7 Elkeans Musonye, 6 George Nyambua, 5 Oliver Mang’eni, 4 Andrew Chogo, 3 Joseph Odero, 2 Colman Were, 1 Patrick Ouko

Replacements: 16 Peter Karia, 17 Moses Amusala, 18 Hillary Mwanjilwa, 19 Simon Muniafu, 20 Dalmus Chituyi, 21 Martin Owilah, 22 Xavier Bett, 23 Biko Adema

UGANDA
15 Philip Wokorach, 14 Justin Kimono, 13 Michael Wokorach, 12 Pius Ogena, 11 James Odong, 10 Ivan Magomu, 9 Aaron Ofoyrwoth, 8 Marvin Odongo, 7 Brian Asaba, 6 Ronald Musajjagulanyago, 5 Eliphaz Emong, 4 Charles Uhuru, 3 Asuman Mugerwa (capt.), 2 Paul Sekate, 1 Saul Kivumbi

Replacements: 16 Joseph Tamale, 17 Martial Tchumkam, 18 Collin Kimbowa, 19 Robert Aziku, 20 Simon Olet, 21 Conrad Wanyama, 22 Gerald Sewankambo, 23 Adrian Kasito