No World Cup for Kenya Simbas following loss to Zimbabwe in Kampala
The loss, Sunday means that Kenya misses out on any chance of making the 2027 World Cup in Australia, an opportunity that has landed on the laps of either Namibia or Zimbabwe who meet in the Rugby Africa Cup final next weekend, with the winner heading directly to the World Cup and the loser earning a playoff place.
The Kenyan 15-a-side rugby World Cup dream died a slow and painful death on Sunday as Kenya Simbas fell to a close and desperate 29-23 loss to Zimbabwe's Sables in a Rugby Africa Cup semifinal at the Namboole Stadium.
The loss, Sunday means that Kenya misses out on any chance of making the 2027 World Cup in Australia, an opportunity that has landed on the laps of either Namibia or Zimbabwe who meet in the Rugby Africa Cup final next weekend.
Namibia, who beat Morocco 21-7 in the other semi-final final will take on their neighbours for a direct ticket to the World Cup. The winner of the Rugby Africa Cup final will earn a direct ticket to the World Cup. Whoever comes up second will face the United Arab Emirates UAE in a playoff to determine who qualifies.
Kenya lead 18-13 at halftime but failed to hold on in the second stanza as Zimbabwe pushed hard to score.
Eugene Sifuna, Griffin Chao and Teddy Akala scored the tries for Kenya, with Jone Kubu adding the extras as well as scoring a number of penalties.
The hero for Zimbabwe was Ian Prior who took over with the boot to hand the southern Africans a 29-15 lead as the match headed towards the final 10 minutes.
Akala scored at the death to make it 29-23 but it was too little too late as Zimbabwe confirmed their win.
Kenya will take on Morocco in the battle for third place at the Championships next weekend.
